Obligation to provide an air ticket to the employee upon resigning

Dear Questioner,

Thanks for writing to me.

Please note that there is no legal provision under the UAE labour law which mandates an employer to provide annual air tickets.

However, it is true that there are certain companies who provide annual air tickets for their employers as a matter of practice and not as an obligation.

Please note that Article 131 sets out entitlement to a flight at the end of service. It states:

“The employer shall, upon the termination of the contract, bear the expenses of repatriation of the worker to the location from which he is hired, or to any other location agreed upon between the parties. Should the worker, upon the termination of the contract, be employed by another employer, the latter shall be liable for the repatriation expenses of the worker upon the end of his service. Subject to the provisions of the preceding clause, should the employer not repatriate the worker and not pay the expenses of such repatriation, the competent authority shall do so at the expense of the employer. Such authority may recover such expenses by means of attachment. Should the reason for the termination of the contract be attributable to the worker, the latter shall be repatriated at his own expense should he have the means therefore.”

From a plain reading of the legal provision itself, it is very clear that upon the event of resignation the employee shall bear such expenses.

Thank you.

Regards,

Rajasree Ravivarma