Q: Hello, I received a job contract and I'd like to know if it is legal in terms of the UAE labour law to put such a statement in it: "The employee will bear the visa expenses, relocation expenses and all other applicable expenses incurred by the agency during the recruitment phase, in case of leaving before completing the first year". In case I sign such a contract, will I be legally obliged to pay visa expenses for leaving the job before completing one year period? Thank you.

Q: Hi Mr Hari, Hope you're doing well. I would like to ask if I'm obliged to pay my employer before I can leave the company. I'm currently employed in a free zone company in Al Qouz for 3 months, and I'm still in the probationary period. I would like to resign because I got another job and also I'm not comfortable with the environment; that's why I look for another opportunity. Now, my employer would like me to pay a sum of AED 5250. This fine, is it for the visa and Emirates ID? And do I really need to pay them that amount? Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards,

Q: The company terminated me with notice and is not paying the gratuity after 2 years and 2 months of service. They're also deducting the visa renewal, medical insurance, visa cancellation, Emirates ID charges from the final settlement. In addition, they're considering not to pay my leave salary for the last month of the year 2017-2018 during the final settlement.

Q: Good day! I would like to ask about the early cancellation process of my unlimited contract. I got hired last February of this year and I am planning to submit my cancellation notice within this year, but I will complete my 1 yr of service. Would I be obliged to pay any visa cancellation with the company because I am under an agency and my salary is coming from the company not directly from the client? I am a full-time cleaner/housemaid. Hoping for your positive response! Thank you.

Q: Can an employer get a signature on a loan paper for giving them a job & after resigning asks them for visa money or else they will file a case against the loan amount? Please guide me, in such a case, what should that employee do because they hold the passport? They cancel the visa & do not give the canceled paper so the employee should change the status to avoid a fine. They just keep on blackmailing me to get the visa money in terms of the loan paper. Is there any possibility to show the bank statement that we never received such an amount? Or the employer never has the cheque receiving, but just the loan request paper? Can you please guide me?

س: السلام عليكم، أنهت الشركة خدمتي. عند التفاوض على المستحقات، خصمت الشركة ٢٥٠٠ درهم من المستحقات بحجة خصم منتجات تالفة. أنا غير مسؤول عن استلام أي منتجات. هل هذا قانوني؟

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.

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.

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).