Q: Dear Sir, I'm Satheesh from Abu Dhabi. For the past 3 years, I was working for a free zone company in Dubai. Our company have clients from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and doing medical billing services for hospitals and medical centres. I was working with one of the company's clients which is a government hospital in Abu Dhabi (please note - govt is removing our company by Sept.). My concern is that the hospital is interested to recruit me as their employee. But I already signed a limited contract with my company which has "Non-competition non-solicitation agreement". My contract states that I cannot join their clients or competitors for 24 months after my visa expiry or end of service. If I violate this law they will take legal actions and they can ask for compensation (Law no. 8 of 1980 for UAE and Law no. 5 of 1985 for Dubai). My visa is expiring by Aug 25th, so I'd like to join there. Can I join this Abu Dhabi government hospital or not? If I join, is there any legal issue I have to face from my company?

Q: I have signed an internal employment agreement, which states that I cannot work with the competitor if I resigned. "The employee covenant with the company that he will not for a period of twelve months after the date of termination of his employment for whatever reason, be concerned in any the business which is carried on in the UAE and which is competitive with any business which is carried on by the company at the time of termination. The employee shall not after the termination of this agreement directly or indirectly on his own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person for a period of 12 months thereafter induce or attempt to induce any employee to whom this subclause applies to leave the employment of the company." What is the legal status of this agreement? This is an internal agreement in English only and has not been attached to the labour contract.

Q: Sir, I am working as an engineer in an electromechanical company. It is said in my offer letter that if I leave the company before my contract period of 2 years then I can't join any other similar firm (electromechanical) within the next 1 year. Is this legally accepted by the UAE law or do I have a choice to join a similar firm? What is the amount to be given to the company if I leave before my contract period as per the labour law?

Q: I have a small company of 4 people. One of my oldest staff who has worked for 11 years is leaving. He handles 80% of my clients and work. Without proof, I know he is going to open his firm. I don't want to harm him but I want to secure my clients. Is it legally okay for me to make him sign a contract that he cannot approach my clients in the near future? If yes, then what will be the procedure? Do I have to go to the notary to make this contract valid?

Q: Hello, In my current job contract, I have a 30-day notice period. I have already submitted my resignation, but I want to resign early; it’s 5 days before the end of my notice period. I requested early resignation and am willing to pay any liabilities in this matter. However, my company is saying I can't work in the same emirate within two years at any competing similar facility, as per Labour Contract Law No. 33 of 2021.

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 law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

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).