June 17, 2025 | Abu Dhabi, UAE: In a rare but powerful legal win, an Abu Dhabi employee who was hired but never allowed to start work has been awarded Dh110,400 in unpaid wages. The Labour Court of First Instance found that the delay in the start date was entirely the employer’s fault. The man had signed a fixed-term contract with a basic monthly salary of Dh7,200 and a full compensation package of Dh24,000. Yet, for more than four months, he waited with no start date, no office access, and no pay to Abu Dhabi Employee.
Waiting Without Work and Pay
The Abu Dhabi employee had filed a lawsuit after being left in limbo from November 11, 2024, to April 7, 2025. Despite being officially hired, the company repeatedly postponed his start date, giving no clarity on when he could begin. During this time, he received no salary, not even a formal communication that clarified the delay.
“I had a valid contract and was ready to work. But every time I asked for a joining date, it was pushed further,” the employee reportedly told court officials.
Court: Employer Was at Fault
The employer’s legal team appeared in court and requested that the case be transferred to the relevant division. However, the court stated that the Abu Dhabi employee had submitted valid documents, including wage records, the employment contract, and correspondence through the case management system.
The judge noted it was “clear from the evidence” that the delay in joining was due to the employer’s inaction.
Referring to Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021, the court reiterated that all employers are legally bound to pay wages on time, as regulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Citing Article 912 of the Civil Transactions Law, the court emphasised that wages are the right of the employee and cannot be withheld unless there is a written consent or legal justification.
Employer’s Claims Dismissed
The company had tried to argue that the Abu Dhabi employee had taken leave without reporting for duty, implying that he was not eligible for any salary. However, the court found no evidence that any formal absence was recorded, nor that any investigation had taken place. The employee did admit to taking eight days off during that waiting period, which the court deducted from the total payout. Ultimately, the judge ruled in his favour for a total of four months and 18 days of salary, amounting to Dh110,400.
This case is being viewed as a reminder of employee rights under UAE labour law. It highlights how the law protects workers, even in complex or grey-area scenarios like this one, where someone is technically hired but not allowed to start work. For the average Abu Dhabi employee, this ruling reinforces that signed contracts are legally binding and that wage rights do not depend on whether or not a desk has been assigned or a laptop handed out.
“It’s a huge relief,” the employee was quoted as saying after the ruling. “I did not just win a case, I proved that workers’ rights matter.”
In a city that thrives on professionalism and legal structure, this ruling offers clarity and hope. It sends a strong message to both employers and employees: in the UAE, contracts carry weight, and rights cannot be ignored.
