Q: The employer says if you do not sign the Agreement you will not receive your entitlement. What law does this violate? *This is used so the employer can force an employee to sign.

Q: Hello & Ramadan Kareem, I'm working in JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) as a Regional Manager on a limited contract ending in 2019. I shall be completing 1 year on 16 June 2017. My Management is pressuring me to submit my resignation (with a 30-days notice i.e. defined in their offer letter) as they say I have not delivered the annual sales targets. Since I refused, the HR Manager called & threatened me with "consequences". My JAFZA contract clearly mentions 90 days notice period. Now they say that if I resign, they can offer me 90 days compensation with no gratuity & other benefits. Could you please advise, what should I do?

Q: I have worked in a company for 3 and half years under a contract for an unlimited period. A month ago my employer asked me to sign on a resignation letter with immediate effect. He promised to give me a 3-month salary and other benefits. After a month only gratuity and leave pay have been deposited to my bank account. As per the UAE labour law do I have the right to claim for 3-month salary?

Q: Sir. I am working in a restaurant as a food supervisor. I was working in a restaurant in Dubai, where I got an AED 5000 salary. A managing director of a restaurant in Abu Dhabi asked me to join his restaurant. That time he offered me a salary of AED 7000, so I resigned from my job in the Dubai restaurant. After I joined the Abu Dhabi restaurant, he mentioned in my labour contract AED 4500 salary only. That time he said above AED 5000 salary I have to pay more amount for the insurance, and the remaining balance amount he will give cash or cheque. So, I signed the contract. After that, he did not pay my salary properly. I was working around 11 months, but he paid only 6 months. In these 6 months, he also paid my basic salary only (in my contract, the basic salary is AED 3500 and other allowances are AED 1000, in total salary is AED 4500). Now, he is saying that he's not going to pay because I bring losses to his business. So please help me with this situation, Sir.

Q: I am an employee in a company in Dubai since the last two years, with an unlimited contract and my total salary is AED 3000 (Joining date: 01/01/2016). In the first year, I was doing an operational activity in a logistics company like documentation of all import/ export Inquiries (Designation in visa: Client Service Clerk). In addition, I was helping the accountant as an assistant because the management decided that I shall help him in accounts. I am an employee with a postgraduate degree (M.Com Degree). On the 4th January 2017, our accountant (Designation: Accounts Manager) left the company due to personal reasons. His salary was while joining AED 5000, and when he left the company after two years and a half that time was AED 6200. The management asked me to take the position of an accountant and I accepted it. I was thinking that I will get AED 5000 salary of an accountant from the next month, but till this date, after 10 months, I am getting AED 3000. I asked several times to change my designation and upgrade my salary, but they are giving the same answer that the company is at a loss.

Q: Sir, I am employed in this company since April 13, 2011. I was recently informed that my company is cutting back on expenses, and I am no longer needed in my position. They offered to continue hiring me as Documents Controller for a lower unspecified salary. The reason is that they are abolishing my department for which I am the Manager receiving AED 21500 and AED 4500 housing allowance. Ultimately, I refused. So they decided to terminate me asap, and the termination letter will be given to me in a few days. Through your kind assistance, I wish to know what compensation is due to me for being terminated. By the way, just in case this info if significant in my case, I suffered a heart attack last September 7, 2017. I was welcomed back to work December 15, 2017, with a total leave of 96 days. I do not wish to continue because their treatment for me since reporting back is not the same, the new general manager is aloof and disrespectful towards me. Thank you in advance. Regards, MELVIN ESTEPA

Q: Hi, and good day to you. I just want to ask what is the status of my contract here in Dubai. Actually, I have an employment contract and it needs to be revised because as per the Philippines labour law, my salary is below the minimum which is only AED 1100 basic salary. That's why my employer proceeded to MOL for the approval of changes. How long does it take to complete the process? I hope you will give time to my inquiry. Thank you

Q: I was informed on the 20th that if I did not take another position in my company, a position that I am not qualified for and also not comfortable with, my employer would have no choice but to make my position redundant. This was sent to me over a WhatsApp message. On the 23rd, my employer gave me an official letter of termination saying that the company is now making financial cutbacks and that my position is a part of the reduction. I was appointed as an operations manager and there are actually 2 of us who work in the company, however, I am the only person who is being terminated. There is no record of disciplinary action against me either for the entire duration of my employment. I had asked that my employer to amend the termination letter stipulating that he is making my position redundant, to which they refused. What is the best way forward?

Q: Hello, My company reduced my salary and made me sign a letter but have not issued a new contract despite several requests. My salary was reduced from AED 17,000 to AED 10,500. I have now resigned and gave them a one-month notice but they are asking me to pay 45 days salary to them because I am on a limited contract. What are my options, please?

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).