Q: I worked for my previous company based in TECOM, Dubai (Free Zone) for 3 years, during which period we had a lot of salary delays and got accumulated over time. By the time I resigned, 4 months and around 3 weeks salary were pending along with my settlement amount. Usually, all the amount need to be settled before the visa gets cancelled. But they convinced me (verbally), since there is no cash with the company at the time, that they would pay my pending amount as and when the salary is processed for the rest of the company. For that, they gave me a signed letter mentioning the total amount that the company owes me; but since my departure, 2 salaries have been processed in the company and I am yet to receive any. I have been regularly following up with them by mail and have only received "wait" response so far. Does this amount to cheating from their end? What are my legal options? Note: The company has been sued before for similar cases regarding payments by ex-employees / suppliers.

Q: I submitted my resignation and served my one-month notice. My company asked me to sign the cancellation papers, however, mentioned that they cannot pay End of Service Benefits now and that they will pay in future. As I am going back to my country permanently, what is the best way to get my due payments? I heard raising a complaint and the due procedure take months to settle.

Q: I am the only employee in the company and my job included sales, marketing, accounting, administration and delivery. I worked using my own personal desktop, phone, internet connection and car since the company has not provided any. I started work in this Free Zone company on Dec 1, 2014, under unlimited contract and on my husband's visa. I have resigned last Dec 11, 2017, and served my 30 days’ notice period last Jan 11, 2018. My employer was supposed to pay the final settlement on my last day but then she re-scheduled to meet on Jan 14, then on January 16 and lastly on Jan 18. Just before the day of agreed final settlement, she accused me that all my previous work emails have been allegedly deleted. She filed a complaint of Breach of Contract on Jan 18 and I also filed a complaint about her delay in paying my end of service benefits. She has continuously intimidated me with her plans to file it in court. These false allegations have caused me and my family emotional distress. Please advise.

Q: Hi, Good day. I have been working with a company for 5 years and a half. Then I applied for my resignation (with a 1 month notice period as per my contract) and my service ended on June 30, 2018. A month after, my manager contacted me and asked me to sign some "pre-termination" paper. When I asked about my gratuity payment, He mentions that I can get it within a month or two and that if I still didn't receive it, I can still have grounds for complaint that I can submit to the Ministry of Labour. However, I still declined to sign any letter. They then just told me that they'll contact me if ever the cheque is ready. My question is: - Was my action right by not signing any papers considering I had no guarantee of receiving my gratuity? - Also, since I'm still looking for a job currently (and I want to settle things amicably), is it an option for me to simply just wait it out until they contact me again with regards to my cancellation and gratuity? Thank you and have a nice day.

Q: Hi, I work on an unlimited contract and completed 1 year. I want to resign so I have one question regarding that. After resignation, when does my employer start with the visa cancellation?

Q: How long must we wait for our End Of Service Benefits and cancelling of visa, and for the company to issue the flight ticket home? We received letters of 30 days' notice of termination of the contract. The contract ended on 18 October 2018. The company let us sign a letter of unpaid leave in case more work is received. We requested to leave the UAE. We are still waiting for our EOSB on unpaid days. We have company accommodation but no monies for living expenses. What must we do?

Q: Hi, I am an employee in an LLC company and my contract is going to expire on 19 June 2021. Can you please guide me about the timeline for my current employer to cancel my visa as I have to join another company on 20th June 2021? My current visa will expire on 24 July 2021. Is it legal to work after the contract expiry? Can my current employer force me to do that? Thanks!

Q: Good day, Please advise how long it will take to receive the final payment after my last working day following my resignation and 30 days' notice. My last working day with the company is 18/07/2024. Thank you!

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).