Questions & Answers
The company policy is to keep employees' passports, what to do?
Hi,
Relating to my passport, I know it is illegal to withhold employees' passports.
Mine is with my employer, and when I requested it a couple of months ago, they said that it is the company policy to keep it.
I am about to file a complaint to the Department of Labour, but I just want to get your advice first. They also said to retrieve it, we should apply for an application and state the length of retrieval.
Is this common practice here in Dubai?
Thank you very much!
Hello,
When an employer takes the passport of an employee, it is not a matter to file with the labour court, it is more of a criminal matter.
In that case, if the employer is holding onto your passport and they refuse to give it to you, it’s a criminal matter. Generally, this means you should go to the police and inform them of what is happening.
Should you require further tailored substantive legal advice, kindly contact my firm via phone or email.
Regards,
Ludmila
