Q: Good afternoon. The company terminated my unlimited full-time employment contract after 3 years, so not renewing my visa. I am working on my own visa now and continue as a freelancer. But they want me to sign their freelance/consultancy agreement with a clause that I am not allowed to work for any of their competitors (but they don't provide me with a visa, medical, no benefits, even not giving me enough working hours). 1) Is it legal to ask a freelancer for this exclusivity? 2) How I can be a freelancer and not allowed to work for other companies? 3) What shall I do if I still want to continue working with them but need other jobs in other companies to have enough income to pay my bills? 4) Am I entitled to gratuity? Because they didn't mention it. Thank you

Q: Hello, I am planning to launch a service marketplace for freelancers. Most freelancers don't have a freelance license. Can I make a contract between our company and the freelancers to make them legal to operate? And should this contract be physical or digital?

Q: I have been working for an individual as a private accountant for over a year now. My contract says that I'm not an employee but a consultant. I am sponsored on my husband's visa and have a NOC from him to work. However, I'm not set up as a freelancer and my employer hasn't provided me with a labour card or work permit. It has been brought to my attention that I may be working illegally so I would appreciate some legal advice and for someone to look over my contract. If I'm working illegally then I will quit immediately but I need to know my rights and do not want to breach my contract if it is enforceable. I look forward to hearing from someone. Thanks.

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 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).

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.