Q: Hello, I was a maid in Abu Dhabi and I did not finish the probation period. I got sick, refused the job and my sponsor cancelled three months visa. Now my retina was taken, my name put in the computer and at first, the immigration said I have a one-year ban. Then after some time, he said to never come back. I don't know what my sponsor told the immigration, what kind of ban is this and if I have any false accusations.

Q: I am a UK passport holder. Can you assist me? I worked in the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Two years ago, I lost my job and returned to the UK but I was unable to keep up payments on my loan and credit cards after my end of service money run out. The banks started hounding me when I could not keep up payments and threatened to raise a civil case and a GCC travel ban. I do not know if they went through with this or not and what the consequences would be if there are a travel ban and a civil case raised in the UAE or GCC countries. I now have the chance of a job in Qatar and a chance to make some money again to try and pay off my debt in the UAE. Can I enter Qatar? Would I be arrested? Am I at risk and should not take the job? What are my options? I can not start to pay back any UAE money until I get a job and start earning again. Please advise! Thanks!

Q: If I have an immigration ban in the UAE for unpaid debt (bank loan), will it be applicable to other GCC countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain?

Q: Dear Sir I don't know about my case in the UAE. I ran away from the UAE  because my colleague did fraud with his company. I want to know if I can go to another GCC country.

In the wake of the rising numbers of migrant workers in the GCC and with it arising the need for new labor laws and regulations that are in more compliance with international labor standards and practices, some countries like the UAE and Qatar have started some initiatives to make more reforms to entertain international labor migrants in line with ILO conventions and international human rights law.

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.

By this Decree Ministry of Labour of the UAE has removed the six-month labour ban for those who changed the job before completing two years of service. Labour ban will be still applicable for workers that qualify for skill level 4 and 5 under various circumstances.

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).