UK energy services firm Petrofac laid off nearly 200 employees in the UAE with only one day’s notice, as the company’s financial restructuring continued to unravel.
Roughly 180 workers connected to an offshore wind grid programme that accounted for most of Petrofac’s engineering and construction work in the UAE were let go during the week ending 19 November. Employees said their salaries were paid only up to that date and that no explanation was provided about notice periods or end-of-service gratuity. One worker recalled being informed that around 190–200 staff would be terminated immediately, with the next day set as their final working day.
Those affected included project directors, senior engineers, and support personnel linked to TenneT’s 2GW offshore wind transmission programme, which has since been cancelled. Petrofac had been pursuing a restructuring since 2024, but TenneT terminated Petrofac’s share of the contract after the required milestones were not met.
Following the termination, Petrofac Limited entered administration, and Larsen & Toubro was appointed to take over the project. A manager cited by local media said the company went bust soon after the contract was withdrawn.
Long-serving staff in the UAE now fear they may lose their legally mandated gratuity, which reports suggest could total more than AED 27m ($7.35m).
