Q: I got a job offer from another company and resigned from my current company, giving a notice period of 30 days. The employer refused to accept my resignation and stated that they will not be cancelling my visa due to COVID-19 issues since they cannot hire anyone else (This is just an excuse they are making). I wish to join the new company, and I want to know: 1. How can I get my visa cancelled if the employer refuses, without the delays of weeks and months in the courts? 2. How to start working for the new employer in case the current does not cancel the visa, so I don’t lose the job offer? 3. How long does the permit process take?

Q: My employer here in Abu Dhabi is not accepting my resignation. I am serving them for more than 2 years and this is my second (renewed) limited contract. I told them that I am willing to take the notice period and pay for whatever I need to.

Q: I am working now as a Data Entry Clerk/Medical Transcriptionist in Dubai in a free zone company for more than 2 years under an unlimited contract. I finished the contract of 2 years (limited contract) and renewed for another year in which it became unlimited. I sent my resignation in July 2019 with a notice period of 1 month, but my employer rejected it. On 24 October 2019, I sent my resignation again, and he rejected it again saying that he did not receive the letter and accidentally saw it when he came, as he is out of the country. I am sending my resignation through email as my employer is not usually coming to the office and it is impossible for him not to receive it as my second resignation was twice and the PRO confirmed that he received it as I put him in CC. What should I do? And how can I respond to my employer?

Q: Dear sir/ma'am, My employment contract ended on Nov 18, 2022. After the contract expiry, I sent a letter to my company that I will not renew my contract but they didn't agree to my non-renewal advice and told me that they can't release me until mid of January 2023. Is it right? Am I breaking any labor laws if I don't go to work after serving my 30 days notice period? Please advise. Thank you in advance!

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.

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).