Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allTermination of employment under the UAE labour law
59
Q: Hi Sir,
Please, can you help me understand the following below?
I have been terminated from my company in Dubai. They had made me sign one letter on their Official Letterhead that they have terminated me and will be giving a grace period of one month. This was almost 1.5 months ago. After this now they have made me sign the Cancellation Letter for closing the Contract.
They are telling me they will be paying my basic salary and not be paying HR, is that ok by Law?
Also, they will be deducting the cost of the car and mobile SIM since the letter which they provided to me.
Please, can you help me understand the Law of termination in Dubai, so that if in any part they wrong I could take legal action if required?

Jul 8, 2017
52146
Can employee be charged for visa expenses?
17
Q: Hi,
I have been working in a company in Abu Dhabi for the past two and a half years. I gave my resignation less than a month ago. When I got this month salary, the salary amount was reduced.
When I enquired about it, the company informed me that they will be charging me a certain amount from my settlement as visa cancellation process fee. When I called to the Ministry of labour, they told me that company cannot charge me any of such fee.
So I would like to know whether I should move by complaining to the MOL, and if I do, what would be the probable result from that action.
Thank you.

Apr 11, 2017
15118
Repercussions of early resignation from a limited contract
1
Q: Dear Sir,
I am working as a receptionist in a four-star hotel from December 2015. It's been almost more than 34 months since I started, but now I resigned as I got another job.
However, my HR department is asking from me AED 5000 for a contract amount which I signed upon joining. I have only 2 months left to complete it, but still, they want me to pay such a big amount.
Kindly advise me for the same and whom I should contact so that I can be released from paying this big amount.
I am eagerly waiting for your response thank you.

Sep 11, 2018
1471
Legality of claiming visa expenses from employee for early resignation
3
Q: Hi
This is R. here HRBP in the UAE.
Is it legal to recover the visa expenses from an employee who resigns before the completion of a contract of two years?
Please revert.
R.

Dec 27, 2020
471
What to do in case the employer is not accepting your resignation?
35
Q: My employer here in Abu Dhabi is not accepting my resignation. I am serving them for more than 2 years and this is my second (renewed) limited contract.
I told them that I am willing to take the notice period and pay for whatever I need to.

Feb 17, 2021
9041
An employer holds the passport of an employee after accepting his resignation
4
Q: Can someone here help me, please!
My brother is in Dubai and finished his 2yr contract. He doesn't want to renew anymore so he decided to submit his resignation and stop working.
His employer agreed, however, they refused to give him his passport. They also told him that once he gets his passport, he will be arrested as they filed a case against him.
In line with this, may I ask anyone's kind assistance in this matter? My brother needs to work as he doesn't have a visa and he doesn't want to return to his old company.
Also, I would like to ask if he is entitled to gratuity even if he finished his 2yr contract only?
Many thanks in advance!

May 3, 2021
525
Can a DMCC 1-year contract employee resign for a better opportunity?



1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Can an employee on a limited DMCC 1-year contract resign from a company and accept a better opportunity?
Does the employee cover visa expenses?




Dec 27, 2023
188
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allProvisions of Limited and Unlimited Labour Contracts in the UAE Labour Law 147
When an employee or employer mentions legal issues related to their labour relationship, the first question to be raised is: do you have a limited or unlimited labour contract? We try here to shed light on the relevant provisions of the limited and unlimited contracts in the UAE labour law pertaining to resignation, termination of employment, notice period and calculation of the end of service benefits.
Jan 5, 2019
83165
Differences Between Limited & Unlimited Contracts 5
An interview-format article covering the topic of employment contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of limited and unlimited contracts, like the end of service, notice, arbitrary dismissal...etc.
Mar 17, 2020
4657
An Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 234
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.
Sep 10, 2024
92913
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
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.
Apr 20, 1980
103777
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.
Sep 27, 2015
12467
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
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).
Sep 20, 2021
27033

Other answers by
How do I know whether I am able to enter Dubai for layover flights? 0
Hi,
I left Dubai halfway through my contract because of a family ailment. I didn't give notice, I had a leave and resigned when I got home. It's been 2 years since.
How do I know whether I am able to enter Dubai for layover flights?
Nov 5, 2017
443
How to cancel my visa if my employer does not sign cancellation papers? 405
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been working as a Civil Engineer in a Dubai-based construction company since 2003 with an unlimited contract.
Due to financial issues, the company has decided not to renew its license and is closing down, but they have the dues that have to be paid to the local sponsor and he is not signing the cancellation papers.
Please advise how I can get my visa canceled.
Nov 6, 2017
93901
Setting up a Delaware company with overseas subsidiaries 1
My company is based in Cairo, and I need to incorporate a mother company in Delaware, along with subsidiaries in London, Munich, and other international cities.
How can I do that?
Nov 6, 2017
690
What to do if you received a call from a person claiming to be a lawyer 0
I received an unsolicited call on a Saturday night (6.06pm to be precise), on my mobile phone in my place of residence from a lawyer (think he's actually a partner) claiming to represent my ex-wife in a matter pertaining to a divorce agreement that was ratified in Zimbabwe at the end of August.
He threatened that the full force of his law firm will be thrown at me if I did not settle the monetary claim within 48 hours of our telephone discussion. 80% of the monetary amount in question was actually remitted that afternoon, prior to his call, which he didn't bother to inquire about.
There was no formal notification in writing that their services had indeed being retained by my ex-wife. I am not sure if he followed due process & his threats could be construed as coercion in a matter that was all but resolved.
Nov 5, 2017
537
Is it legal to discuss maintenance of a child with the employer of my ex-husband? 1
Hello.
I would like to know if it is legal or illegal to contact my ex-husband's HR dept due to his refusal to pay for child support since the birth of our child (Age 16 now). He lives and works in Dubai.
I have remarried and have other children, moved to Abu Dhabi 1 1/2 yrs back and contacted him at his office. He has failed on every promise until now. I cant afford the high legal fees to file a case.
Please, let me know what are my options. Thanks.
Nov 2, 2017
637
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