Q: I live in the UK and have AED 60,000 of debt in the UAE from when I lived there 2 years ago. I receive letters all the time from a debt collection agency in the UK and today I received an email from the bank entitled 'Amnesty Offer' (although I'm not sure what that means) I have no assets and no regular income, therefore, they can't get anything out of me at the moment. However, I would very much like to get this sorted, perhaps by paying off a fraction of the outstanding amount as a lump sum to settle the debt. I would like to know if I can sue my previous employer as they are the reason I had to leave Dubai, and the reason I ended up jobless. They headhunted me, offered me a job in their company but then refused to issue me with a visa. They also gave me a fake employment contract. I planned to stay in Dubai my whole life, but their actions meant I had to return home, with no job and no money. It is grossly unfair and I would like compensation.

Q: Dear Sir, Greetings! I am working in a construction company as a Secretary/ Front Desk Receptionist. My visa expired on the third of May 2017, and till this date, my employer has not renewed my visa. My Emirates ID is already expired also, and my employer keeps on telling me they don't have the money now to renew my visa, but they will renew it. As you can see, a lot of fines has been accumulated to date and its 6 months now. Therefore, in view of above, what action should I take in order to ensure that my visa will be renewed by my employers?

Q: I worked in the UAE under visit visa. The company owner has provided me visit visa but did not give me employment visa, and did not give me the salary. I came back to Pakistan. Please tell me how I can file a case under the UAE labour law when I have the offer letter which the company owner gave me, and how long will it take to lodge this case?

Q: I signed an offer letter with a new construction company and started working with them for almost a month. My visa is still under my previous company because it is still under process for cancellation. Now, I want to quit working with this new company because my boss is giving me a hard time. Can I quit my work without 1-month notice? Will there be any legal issues with me?

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.

According to this Decree, tentative approval to admit a foreign worker for the purpose of employment in the UAE cannot be granted until an Employment Offer that conforms with the Standard Employment Contract is duly signed by the employee and presented to the Ministry of Labour.

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).