Landflap, just out of interest, have you ever worked for a ME airline? Do you honestly think that there is a snowballs chance in the Dubai summer that a wrongful dismissal case from a semi-govt entity who can operate with impunity, is going to EVER succeed?
Suspend your indignation and understand that the rule of law is applied in these countries in anyway is deemed best by those who write the laws.
Don't believe me? Just remember that in the ME, some are more equal than others.
I'm sure in a unionised airline in a semi civilised country like Australia that the case you are referring too may indeed have some merit, but the employer and employee aren't based there.
As to the Perth situation, 0 sympathy, we all know the rules, and many of us refrain from anything else than a quiet pint whilst down route for this very reason....he must have been steaming.