Q: My ex-employer asked me to pay back my visa, medical, agency hiring costs, apartment (it was apart of the package) and vehicle cost (also apart of the package). Now, they are pestering me to pay back the apartment costs with PDC’s, but my visa has been cancelled and I'm now in the process of getting a new visa with a new employer. Do I have to pay anything back? (Further information: I was on a limited contract which I worked the 30 days' notice period and terminated my contract early, and the apartment isn’t owned by my ex-employer, so he is sub-letting to me)

Q: I am a nurse. My joining date is June 20, 2018, and I will be resigning on Dec 24, 2018 (I gave my 1-month notice last month). My contract is unlimited. The company is asking me to compensate them for the cost of my visa...etc. Is it legal? And is their an automatic ban? Thanks

Q: I got a job offer from one UAE company but I have to pay visa fees as a security which they will return after six months. They will provide me employment offer letter and at the same time I need to pay them visa fees. I am a bit confused that the offer letter is a legally binding document to claim in future if they will not provide me the job. Kindly help me to solve my problem. I am on a visit visa in Dubai.

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).