Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allVerbal termination of a limited employment contract
4
Q: I am working for a travel agency. They told me orally you will be terminated, but till date, they didn't send any mail regarding termination.
So, when does my termination start and I know one month is a grace period? Can I return my emirates id?
And one more question, my company made a contract of 2 years. Now, I completed 9 months only. Can I get paid any amount (gratuity) while leaving?

Aug 26, 2018
2726
Rights of the employee in verbal termination of employment contract
2
Q: What are the benefits or compensation for an employee in case of a verbal termination by the employer?

Mar 3, 2019
1464
Legal action to claim dues upon arbitrary termination 
2
Q: I have been given a verbal termination notice of two months.
What are the repercussions if I can prove that I have been fired from the position of the Chief Accountant because I was not signing on fake payroll sheets to be filed with the labour department, when in fact, actual payroll contains overtime way in excess of local labour laws?
Also, should I work full time during these two months as I have to search for a job also during this period?
Also, our company had a joint venture and they terminated its accounting staff 4 years back and told me to take up full responsibility of managing accounts and audit of that company over and above my actual working in the existing company, with a verbal commitment that I will be compensated extra for the same.
Later on, my company started charging to that joint venture for the accounting services rendered by me, but despite my requests so far no monetary compensation has been passed on to me.
Can I file a claim on the same in labour court?

Apr 30, 2018
1499
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allTermination Without a Valid Reason - What Can You Do? 12
An interview-format article covering the topic of employment termination without a valid reason in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of termination, like notice periods, end of service benefits, arbitrary dismissal, unpaid salaries etc.
Jan 15, 2020
5515
An Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
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
92387
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
103748
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
12459
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
26913

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Other answers by
My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
12
Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
18
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
17
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
40
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
41

Other answers by
Cancellation of an off-plan property while an SPA is not signed and the project is completed 4
I booked an off-payment plan in 2016 for a residential project in Dubai.
As per the booking form, the expected completion date of the project was Dec 2017. The project was completed recently in Feb 2021.
I paid 30%in installments and the remaining, 70%, is due for payment now at the time of handover.
I only signed the booking form in 2016. Neither developer initiated the reservation agreement and SPA nor I approached the developer till 2019.
I did not approach because I was not aware of any such documents. Due to significant project delays, I applied in Jan 2020 for a request of refund.
Afterward, I continuously followed up for the whole year. Now, they sent me the final notice that the project is completed and if I do not pay the remaining amount within a month, then my unit will be canceled.
I would like to ask:
Based on the above facts, what are my legal rights to claim a refund or compensation as I don’t sign the SPA and I already paid 30% of the amount to the developer?
Apr 18, 2021
1757
Non-competition clause and dues upon resigning for holding salaries 0
Dear Nadine,
I have recently resigned from my company based in Dubai due to non-payment of my salary for the last three months (Apr/May & Jun 2019).
I resigned on 11th June 2019 and served my notice period till 30th June 2019. My company requested to serve 30 days’ notice period which I refused to serve DUE to non-payment of salary.
Finally, I requested them to cancel my visa which is under process and soon it will get cancelled hopefully by this weekend. I have also requested them to pay my dues/others which include:
1) Salary for three months
2) 6 years gratuity
3) ALL of 10 days
As per my employment contract, an employee may not take up any employment directly or indirectly through a subcontractor with the client of the existing employer for a period of one year after the last day of the service period.
Under the above scenario, can I join my ex-employer – client directly or indirectly through a subcontractor?
Please advise.
Regards,
S. H.
Jul 2, 2019
586
Immediate resignation without notice and its repercussions in the UAE 6
Good day,
In my situation, I've completed 6 years of counting including my joining date. My visa will expire in August but now I want to resign immediately/same day.
Can you advise me what I am going to do?
Thanks a lot.
Jun 23, 2019
5920
Termination of employment contract for unsatisfactory performance 0
Dear Sir/Madam
I am a Relationship Manager In a bank in Dubai.
My employer has terminated my services (discontinuation of services) with reason as unsatisfactory performance during 2017.
They have given me 30 days' notice period and have mentioned in the letter that I am exempted from attending office during the notice period.
I seek your valuable advice, can I claim 3 months' full salary for my such termination where it was done all of sudden without alerting me with warning letters.
Also if you can advise me how to file a case against the employer in order to claim 3 months' salary.
Thanks and regards
Jun 25, 2019
6844

Premium
Other answers by
Can my husband attend a hearing on my behalf in Dubai Land Court? 1
Hello,
I have a hearing in Dubai Land Court. Can my husband attend this hearing on my behalf?
Will I need to give him a power of attorney, or can he attend the session without it?
Feb 11, 2025
77
How do I resolve a year-long pending police complaint to lift the travel ban? 1
Hello,
I need help!
A year ago, my previous employer filed a complaint at the police station accusing me of abuse. He did this because I had taken him to the labor court for not paying my salary.
The labor court case was resolved, and I received my salary. However, the police complaint is still pending. Initially, the police took my statement and informed me to wait for a court summons.
It has now been a year, and I have not received any summons. The case is still under police investigation. They have also informed me that there is a travel ban against me.
How can I remove this case from the police station?
Jul 16, 2024
342
Can I claim all the cheques, even though some will cover the amount owed? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have invested money in a company in the UAE and got post-dated cheques. They requested to delay the payment for a long time. Now, I deposited one cheque and it bounced.
I am creating a cheque execution case. However, I have a few more cheques to deposit that they owe me. They gave me around 5 cheques, of which 3 will cover the money they owe.
Can I claim all the cheques? Will I face legal issues from them?
Jun 12, 2024
122
Is it possible for a married Muslim man to marry a second wife in Dubai if she is non Muslim? 2
Is it possible for a married Muslim man to get a second marriage in Dubai to a non-Muslim woman?
What are the rules and requirements?
Jun 11, 2024
348
I bought a property and served the tenant an eviction notice. Can I renew his contract only until notice expiry? 0
Hi,
I bought a property in Dubai in November last year and post transfer, I gave the tenant a 1-year notice to vacate the property as I wanted to occupy it.
The current Ejari expires in May. I gave the tenant the option to renew until the end of the notice period i.e. up to next December, however, the tenant wants to renew for 1 more year.
I need to move in in December, what can I do in this situation?
Thanks
Apr 18, 2024
163
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