Q: Hi. I am here in the UAE on a visit visa. A company gave me an offer letter, but it's already 2 months since I'm working here and still, they did not process my employment visa. Now, my visit visa is going to expire soon. If they do not make my visa, can I file a case on the basis of offer letter? Where can I go for justice, and what do I have to do? Please advise me. Thanks

Q: I have had a domestic worker ‘nanny‘ under my sponsorship for 7 years. She decided suddenly to terminate our existing contract which will end after 4 months and ran away with her boyfriend! Tried to negotiate with her to come back till I search for a replacement but unfortunately, she did not agree. I usually take her with me to renew her working visa and contract in TADBEER. But last year, after reaching there, my son was sleeping in my car and she stayed with him. I had to sign the work contract on my behalf and her behalf in front of the officer who told me it is ok as she was our nanny for 6 years that time. I’m not sure if I finger stamped on her behalf or not. My question is: can she file a case that I signed on her behalf on the maid contract? If she did this, what will the consequences be on me? Thanks!

Q: Is it legal to hold the passport of the employee by a company? I didn't get my passport back after stamping visa, they gave me just a copy of passport with the visa page. My PRO told me that all passports should stay with the company and I can receive it back to travel only upon approval of the management. He explained that this is the company policy and common practice.

Q: Dear sir/madam, Is It possible to complain about my working hours? I am 3 years and a half worker; working as a domestic helper with the same employer and my working hours are still not changed. I work almost 20hrs a day. There are no weekly off days. For almost 4 years, my passport is with them.

Q: Good morning. What can I do when my boss refuses to give me an annual vacation as a housemaid? Please help.

Q: Dear sir/madam, I am a nanny here in Dubai. I am working for my local employer for almost 8 months now. My employer doesn't give me a day off. They hold my passport and didn't give me a copy of my labor contract. Sometimes they make a story, which is not true, that I took something from them. Now, what step should I make? I want to leave and find another job. They are threatening me that if I stop working with them, they will file a case against me and will deport me, and I will pay 15k for the cost of the visa and other employment documents. Hope someone can advise me. Thank you!

Q: Hello, Good day! I have been working as a housemaid for almost a year, since March 8, 2022. However, I already informed my employer on February 8, 2023, that I wish to terminate my contract because they are not giving me a day off and my working hours start at 7:30 am and end at 12 am or sometimes later. Additionally, they have been keeping my passport and visa, and have informed me that I need to pay for them. They have also withheld my salary until a new nanny is hired. Can you please advise me on whether I can directly approach the labor department to file a complaint? I am afraid to return home because I am worried that my employer might do something to harm me, and it is difficult for me to make calls while I am working as I am constantly taking care of the baby, and there is a camera in the room. I appreciate your help! Have a good day. Best Regards,

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to know whether we are required to pay gratuity to domestic workers under the latest law. If so, from which year, as we have a few domestic workers who have been working for my boss for more than 20 years? However, I came across the following news article: End of Service Gratuity for domestic workers in the U.A.E. has been amended, by virtue of the new law governing domestic workers, which came into effect in December of 2022. The new law, U.A.E. Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022 on Domestic Workers, canceled the previous law, U.A.E. Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers. Unlike the earlier law, the new law does not set out specific entitlement to the end-of-service gratuity. This decision was further clarified by the Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2022 re: Domestic Employees, which was issued in January 2023. Therefore, at present, there is no legal authority in support of gratuity entitlement for domestic workers.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I want to leave my current employer due to excessive shouting, which causes me stress and fear. Despite being hired as a driver, she obtained a housemaid visa for me and assigned me various household tasks. What should I do?

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of an employer demanding to hold an employees passport. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of LAWGICAL with LYLAW.

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.

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).

According to this Decree, tentative approval to admit a foreign worker for the purpose of employment in the UAE cannot be granted until an Employment Offer that conforms with the Standard Employment Contract is duly signed by the employee and presented to the Ministry of Labour.