Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am on an unlimited contract and completed 2.8 years as an accountant in a private company. I gave my resignation on the 7th of September and completed my 30 days' notice period. Then, the company refused to cancel my visa and I went to labour for cancellation. They transferred the case to the court. First hearing was held on the 4th of November 2018, and then the court extended the case to the 9th of December. I would like to know, is it possible to release my passport from my employer as they are holding my passport? Also, is it possible to go back to my home county for an emergency if there is a labour case aganist my company? Thanks and regards Rahul Nair

Q: Dear Respected Lawyers, I am on management visa from Sharjah whose passport was denied by the employer after completing 13 months of service. They told me passport can't be given until my client in Iraq settles a business transaction dues the company did. Feeling insulted, I resigned on June 20th 2018 and stopped going to the office waiting for my Iraqi client to visit the UAE. Finally, the client came to Dubai on August 23rd and showed my employer his account where the client lost more than USD 700,000 because of the mismanagement of the project by the employer. The employer left the meeting room saying I will never get my passport or visa cancelled. He told if ever I report it to the Labor Department, I will be put into trouble through his contacts with senior police officials. Finally, I filed my labour complaint today for my visa cancellation. Kindly advise whom should I approach at Sharjah Court to file a petition for getting back my passport on an urgent basis. Humbly requesting your valued positive advice and assistance.

Q: I need some help. I was working in a salon since January 2016 (Sharjah visa and a limited contract). I've been working there for 1 year and 10 months. This October 9, 2017, my employer cancelled me without giving my all dues: gratuity, annual leave and even my salary for this month. In May of this year my passport expired, I talked to my employer since April that I want to renew my passport but she said 'No'. On October 19, I filed a case against my employer for retrieving my passport and getting my salary. Last Wednesday we meet in Labour Department and my employer said she will give the passport on November 8, which is the same date when my visa expired. I'm just scared of what will happen if I overstay here.

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).