Tens of thousands of Abu Dhabi labourers receive Dh261m in unpaid wages

Series of new measures ensures workers receive their money

Abu Dhabi has implemented new rules to safeguard the rights of labourers. Christopher Pike / The National 

More than 23,000 labourers have received unpaid wages after filing cases with Abu Dhabi’s Labour Court this year.

A total of Dh261 million has been paid to the workers since January.

It follows a series of measures implemented by Abu Dhabi authorities to ensure workers receive their money.

The establishment of a one-day court in 2018 and a mobile court - which visits labour camps to resolve disputes - has been crucial.

"Paying back wages was made easier under new judicial facilitators that were launched by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department over the past few years," said Abdulla Al Nuaimi, head of the Abu Dhabi Labour Court.

“Work in the labour court has not stopped during the coronavirus crisis and many initiatives have been introduced,” he said.

One of these was delivering cheques to labourers at their residence instead of them having to pick them up.

Mr Al Nuaimi said the court was also planning to work with charity organisations  - such as the Zakat Fund and the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation - to ensure workers are paid if companies fail in their obligations.

About Dh577m was paid back to labourers last year.

The announcement was made during a virtual forum held by the judicial department on Wednesday.