Q: I am working as a trainee for an LLC company in Dubai since May 13, 2018, but I received my appointment letter as sales coordinator on June 2, 2018. I got my company visa only in Aug 2018. Until August, I was working on my visit visa, since the company asked me to do so. Now, I am under 6 months probation period. My job designation on the visa is Sales Executive even though I was appointed as Sales Coordinator. I want to quit my job desperately since I am unable to handle the work pressure. I am handling the sales coordinator as well as executive job and office jobs at the same time, but I still didn't finish my probation period. My employment contract is unlimited. So will I get a ban or am I supposed to pay visa expenses to the company if I resign before the completion of my probation period? Will I have to serve notice period if I resign? Also, what will happen if I am terminated? Please answer.

Q: I have been working for a month in A DMCC company with a tourist visa. They gave me my salary for one month working, but they are stalling in applying for my visa. I renewed my tourist visa and paid for it during working with them, and they never gave me the visa renewal fees. I want to resign now. Would I get banned if I left work without a one month notice? My tourist visa is ending in 20 days now, and this was an unlimited offer letter with 6 month’s probation period. Would I get banned from the UAE if I quit now without notice?

Q: Hi, I joined a company in Dubai free zone 3 months ago with unlimited contract and a probation period of 6 months. My current situation is that I am not comfortable with my current employer and want to come back to my home country. I have handled my resignation letter 10 days ago. My visa is still in the process of making and I have not got my passport back yet. The company does not want me to leave and now requires me to pay 30000 AED without giving any explanation. Could you please let me know if Free Zone Labor Law allows a company to charge employee resigning from work during probation period? What is the process of resignation from here? When should company return my passport? Regards, Karolis Griskevicius

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).