Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allInability to return to the UAE due to COVID-19 and its impact on work contract
1
Q: Dear Madam,
I have worked for a company in Dubai on an unlimited contract since April 2019. At the end of March, I was sent home to Europe by my employer for my annual leave for the month of April.
I had a flight ticket to come back to Dubai on May 1st, which is now canceled by Emirates Airlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the consequences if I can not return back to Dubai for the month of May as planned?
Will it be legal for them not to pay my May salary, since it was the company’s decision to send me to annual leave during that pandemic?
Thank you for your advice!

Apr 18, 2020
389
Employee's rights when being terminated during COVID-19 outbreak



0
Q: I have been working as a training sales manager for more than 18 months now in a university under a free zone in Dubai.
My employer keeps threatening me that I will lose my job if no students enrolled for short courses within the COVID-19 impacts, however, I'm doing my job and others' jobs on a daily basis.
He is still not satisfied with the results and keeps threatening me every day, I don't know what should I do?
Also, I need to know my rights in case they decided to fire me as they said that they can fire me without any financial rights because of the current circumstances!
Please advice!




Apr 22, 2020
789
Claiming compensation for termination due to an economic reason
1
Q: Dear Madam,
Since I have been terminated from the company with a notice period of 30 days effective from 1st May 2019, should I work all these 30 days?
I have an unlimited contract. Terminated due to "economic reason" in the termination letter. So is this term legal, or I can approach the Labor Court for any other compensation?
Hope you reply back soon.
Thank you

May 1, 2019
887
Terminating an employee's unlimited contract during COVID-19 pandemic


1
Q: I am new to the country and have worked for a year and a half in a company. I have a 2-year unlimited contract from them. Suddenly, I got an arbitrary dismissal without any valid reason, warning letter, or notice.
They told me that it will be the last day of my work and they will pay only my previous month and 18 days.
They will give me 45 days grace period to find a new job but, due to COVID-19, the market is saturated and all companies are shut down in the meantime for opening new opportunities.
During the day of termination, they asked me to sign a paper for cancellation. I asked them about what I will get, they said that they will pay only my working days.
My concern is I don't know any policy in the UAE about termination. I heard from people that if you get terminated, they have to pay 3 months of your basic salary and give you the rightful benefits.
Is it possible to file a case for this?



Apr 2, 2020
376
How to claim gratuity and unpaid salaries after termination for COVID-19
3
Q: I am employed in a private firm and my visa is from Umm Al Quwain.
As a result of the current pandemic, the company asked me to be on long unpaid leave and agreed to pay my pending salaries along with the employees still on the payroll.
Now they have sent a termination letter as my visa is expiring this March '21. However, my salaries for 4 months are still not paid. I can register a labour complaint.
In case it is not resolved through MOL, then it would be referred to court. This would take some time and my visa is expiring, so there are sure chances of overstay fine.
Who will bear them and also the legal charges, if any?
Also if I get an opportunity to work with a new organisation, would there be any issues with a new employment visa?
Look forward to your kind suggestions.
Regards,
L. R.

Mar 4, 2021
504
المطالبة بالمستحقات العمالية من خارج الدولة

1
س: أنا من الجزائر. عملت في شركة بترولية إماراتية بالمناوبة شهر بشهر حتى مارس 2021. كنت في عطلة ولم أستطع العودة للعمل بسبب غلق الحدود بسبب جائحة كورونا.
اتفقت مع ممثل الشركة على ترك الشركة على أن أحصل على مستحقاتي حالما تُفتَح الحدود. حينما فُتحت الحدود اتصلت بهم وللأسف قالوا لي ليس لك حقوق عندنا.
هل يحق لي رفع دعوى قضائية؟ وما الإجراءات؟
شكرًا!


Oct 6, 2021
370
Are we obliged to pay for two days extension after leave due to Dubai weather conditions?


3
Q: Hi,
One of the employees extended her leave for two more days due to the flight cancellation because of the rain in Dubai.
I want to know whether the company needs to pay for extended leave.
Is there any rule mentioned in the labor law about this case?



May 1, 2024
80
Legal blog
5 available 5 • View allUAE Labour Law Update (COVID-19): Ministerial Resolution No. (279) of 2020 22
This article discusses the Ministerial Resolution No. (279) of 2020 Regarding Employment Stability in the Private Sector during the Period of Application of Precautionary Measures to Curb the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus Issued by the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization in Abu Dhabi on 26/3/2020.
Apr 13, 2020
8053
Is COVID-19 a Force Majeure Event? 10
As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.
Apr 7, 2020
2229
Employment Issues and Laws During COVID-19 0
An interview-format article covering the topic of employment issues and laws during COVID-19 in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 8, 2021
393
An Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
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.
Sep 10, 2024
90174
The new Unemployment Insurance Law of the UAE 7
The UAE government introduced the new Unemployment Insurance Law under the Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022 Concerning the Unemployment Insurance Scheme for Unemployed People. The law aims at providing a sort of financial support in case of unemployment for a brief period, probably to help employees who got terminated find another job and avoid failing in other financial obligations.
Oct 11, 2022
1912
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
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.
Apr 20, 1980
103586
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
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.
Sep 27, 2015
12393
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
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).
Sep 20, 2021
26345

Other answers by
453 453 answers •
View allTerminating an employee after sick leave and claiming compensation 0
Hello,
My employer fired me under Article 44 for not showing up for work for 7 days in a row. But that’s not the case at all. I was sick and the management was aware and they let me go.
I went to another country to get treatment because it’s expensive in Dubai. My employer did not pay me my salary for the month I worked and fired me.
I have official sick leave from another country and there is correspondence where my employer sent me to another country for treatment.
The problem is that the employer says that he will take compensation for the training that was specified in the contract, but I did not undergo training at all; I immediately started work from the first day of work and there was no training.
Does my employer have the right to charge me such a fee and not pay my salary?
Feb 29, 2024
448
How to make the seller hand over the tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale? 0
Should the seller in Dubai hand over their tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale?
Who is responsible for managing this process?
At the time of the exchange, the broker said he would follow up with the seller and collect the deposit.
He hasn’t, and the seller has not handed over the deposit.
Feb 8, 2024
413
How to deal with in-laws provoking and recording reactions? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
My husband's family constantly provokes me and then records my every exaggerated reaction.
Now I'm worried that they might use those things against me.
Feb 8, 2024
234
How to cancel the MoU to buy an apartment with the broker if the bank did not approve the loan? 0
Hi,
I have a situation where I signed an MoU and gave my security deposit to the seller's agent. However later, the bank valuation of the property is lower than the selling price.
On my MoU, it has a clause that “the buyer has a right to cancel/negotiate if the bank valuation is not the same as MoU.” I tried to negotiate, however, we didn't agree on the price so I asked to cancel.
Now the agent is threatening me that they will not cancel the MoU and that will deposit my cheque. Later I also came to know that the person I am dealing with is not the same person whose name is mentioned as a broker in the MoU.
The agent I am dealing with is constantly messaging me with threats. I decided not to speak to him and instead, I wrote an email to the broker whose name is mentioned on the MoU but received no response.
I am on a very tight timeline as I need to vacate my apartment in 3 weeks, I found another unit but I don't know if I can pursue this while the initial MoU still not canceled.
Please, I need advice.
Feb 8, 2024
610
Employer asking for visa reimbursement after resignation: do I need to pay? 0
Hello Sir/Madam,
I have already finished my first year with my company and resigned.
My employer is asking me to reimburse the cost of my visa because I did not finish my two-year contract.
Do I need to pay? The cost is 7,000 AED.
Oct 20, 2023
794
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