Labor Cassation Judgment on Court Jurisdiction for Unlicensed Workers

Judgment summary

An employee sued his employer for unpaid wages and other dues. The Court of Appeal dismissed the case, stating the Labor Court lacked jurisdiction because the employee did not have a work permit. The employee appealed to the Court of Cassation. The Court of Cassation overturned the decision, establishing that under Abu Dhabi Judicial Department regulations, the Labor Court has comprehensive jurisdiction over all labor disputes, regardless of the worker's permit status. However, the court also ruled that because the worker did not have the required permit, the relationship is governed by the Civil Law, not the Labor Law. The case was remanded to the Court of Appeal to be decided on its merits according to Civil Law principles.