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.

Q: My visa & insurance card expired on 23/05/2019. On repeated request, the company has not renewed my visa or insurance. They have given the notice on 19/05/2019 that the last working day is 20/07/2019 since the company is closing down this branch. Even after repeated reminders, they have not renewed my visa. Now, they are asking for insurance and visa renewal money, if I need my visa to be renewed. Kindly advise.

Q: Kindly advise what can I do now that my visa already expired (expiry date is 04.04.2019). I keep waiting for my boss to have it renewed as he promised it will be renewed. The grace period is already finished and at this time, I have not received his advised for renewal yet. My labour contract is also not renewed. I am still working with them but I feel like somebody will just catch me as at this time I know I am over-staying. Is filing a resignation and complaining to labour the solution for my situation? I also have a credit card that I agree for a settlement a few months back, but since our salary is always delayed, the bank said they will cancel the settlement and will file a case. How can I check if I really have a case now? Can the police just put me in jail? Hoping you can somehow give me advice.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I worked for a company for 9 years, and now my visa has expired, but the owner refuses to cancel my visa and pay my gratuity and leave salaries. If I hire a lawyer to help me process my cancellation, obtain my gratuity and leave salaries, as well as cover the legal/court expenses, what will be the cost? How much will the lawyer charge? Will there be court fees or legal fees?

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of employment termination without a valid reason in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of termination, like notice periods, end of service benefits, arbitrary dismissal, unpaid salaries etc.

An interview-format article covering the topic of filing an employment court case 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 UAE attracts a large population of expatriates from around the world for business or leisure. It occurs sometimes that those expatriates violate the rules of their visas and incur overstay fines which accumulate the longer they stay beyond their visa's expiry date. This may result in travel restrictions, banning violators from entering the UAE for a certain period or lifetime. The UAE authorities have now announced a two-month scheme for violators to rectify their situations.

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).