Q: Hi, I am working for a company in Dubai that has a trade license registered both under the mainland and in the free zone. My work permit was under free zone for the last 06 years and now they have requested me to cancel the free zone visa and get the new work permit under the mainland. They have forwarded me a document from Tecom to proceed with the cancellation, stating that I have received all my dues as part of gratuity. However, the mitigation company has given a service continuation letter stating this is just an internal process and I have not received my dues. Is this enough to protect me legally from any dispute that may occur in the future, or do I need to ask them for a notary attestation of the outstanding dues to get more protection from a legal perspective? Kindly advise. Thanks

Q: My company which is under JLT free zone applied for the closing of their business there because they opened a company in the mainland. Before the final application of closing the company, I resigned from work (Please note that I am under a limited contract-free zone). My boss wants me to serve my notice period on their mainland company. Is it legal? Hoping to get an answer. Thank you so much.

Q: Hi I need your advice, please. I resigned and completed my notice period upon transferring my visa from DMCC to TECOM. My employer sent the end of service settlement along with my last salary and leave benefit. Now, to complete the process, they need me to sign that I have received the amount which I didn't. My previous employer is saying they don't have money right now and to sign then they will pay once available. My question here is that if I sign, do I lose my right to claim the money if they didn't pay? If yes, what kind of legal document or cheque can I ask them to provide prior signing? I'm hugely affected as I can't transfer the visa. I have asked DMCC and they said I can file a complaint for them to try to settle but I'm sure my previous employer will come and say no money without solid commitment to pay. Then DMCC will advise going to court which might take a long time. I don't like to make problems but I need advice on what I can ask them to provide to secure my money and to transfer my visa.

Q: Hi I resigned from a DSO free zone company and had signed the document for my final dues (but no visa cancellation document). My visa has now suddenly been cancelled, I am surprised as I thought I would need to sign a separate document to agree to visa cancellation. Is the settlement of final dues enough for the employer to cancel my visa?

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.

Issue: An employee resigned from the job after working for 5 years, and signs a letter addressed to the employer that he wants his gratuity to be paid only after his customer pays the employer. Therefore, has the employer defaulted for End of Service (EOS) payment under the UAE Labour Law?

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).