Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allThe right of the domestic workers to keep hold on their passport and documents
15
Q: Hello,
I'm a domestic worker, and recently I realize that my EID is different from all my friends from the same agency. Mine doesn't have an indication about sponsor name or occupation, it's just plain.
I never saw my residence visa since the employer is keeping my passport. I also haven't seen the ID up close, they only sent me a digital picture of it.
I once called the labor office to enquire about my contract since the office I came from refused to send it to me, unfortunately, I'm not in the labor system.
So my question is, will this be a problem in near future?
Let's say when the visa is being canceled, and what visa am I on because it doesn't look like a domestic worker one to me.

Feb 15, 2022
943
Can a house worker leave her current sponsor because of overwork and join another?
6
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I am planning to tell my sponsor that I can no longer work in their home because of overwork. My health is not good in their home due to overtime and no off days.
I am hired as a nanny. Can I work outside and tell them?
They hold my passport. What will I do?

Apr 23, 2022
603
Is it legal for the employer to keep the employee's passport?
70
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.

Feb 23, 2016
17577
An employer is not giving a domestic worker a day off. What to do?

5
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!


Nov 15, 2022
890
Can the company terminate me If I refused to work 12 hours?
3
Q: If I refused to work 12 hours, can the company terminate me?

Nov 23, 2022
380
Excessive stress and a change in job duties. How to handle this?



3
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?




Jan 17, 2024
83
I worked as a house helper without any salary and got assaulted by my employer. What can I do?

0
Q: Hi there,
I’ve been working for someone for 1 year and 18 months, as a house helper without any single payment claiming that he puts all my money in an account to which I have no access.
His wife tried to strangle me and I immediately ran for my life but the police couldn’t help me because I had no documents with me.
I was later referred somewhere where they informed me that my visa was under a free zone and labor couldn’t see any details.
Can I be helped immediately, please


Jan 19, 2024
78
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allCan My Employer Hold My Passport? 10
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.
Jan 15, 2020
8433
How to File an Employment Court Case in the UAE 36
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.
May 10, 2021
11266
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
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.
Apr 20, 1980
103651
Ministerial Decree No. (764) of 2015 On Ministry of Labour Approved Standard Employment Contracts 5
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.
Sep 27, 2015
5065

Premium
Other answers by
3207 3207 answers •
View allCan I file for mutual divorce from Dubai as an Indian resident and my husband works in Saudi? 0
Needed to know if I am eligible to file for mutual divorce as an Indian expat living in Dubai and holding an Indian passport and also have Canadian PR.
My husband is a Canadian citizen working in Saudi on a work visa.
What are my rights?
Can I ask for alimony?
Can I file for divorce from Dubai?
I have no children from the marriage.
Mar 21, 2025
91
My cousin has multiple penal judgments of fine and jail. How will this be calculated? 0
My cousin is in the central jail of Al Awir since October 2024 till date 20/03/25. She has 6 different penal cases all judgements are done, last one was done yesterday.
In total, she has a fine of about 135000, 1 month in jail, and deportation in 1 case.
How will this be calculated moving forward?
Also she has spent time in different police station detentions from 23rd May 2024 till October including 48 days or so in Ras al Khaima.
Mar 21, 2025
56
Does a cheque bounce effect my AECB score ? Is there a policy for this? 0
Does a cheque bounce affect my AECB score?
Is there a policy for this?
Mar 20, 2025
88
What are my options after my rental renewal offer and deposit was rejected by the owner? 0
Hello,
I submitted an offer and deposit through the trustee office, but the owner rejected it. What is the next step?
They sent an email notification stating that if not renewed within the contract's end time, 500 AED will be deducted for each additional day of stay.
Mar 20, 2025
62
How can I cancel my visa and POA for financial matters if I have a travel ban for company bounced cheque? 0
I am seeking urgent guidance regarding my current visa status in the UAE. I was previously employed by a company that has now shut down, but my visa is still under that company.
During my tenure, I held Power of Attorney (POA) for all financial matters. However, after a cheque issued by the company bounced, the owner revoked my POA without my knowledge.
The company officially closed last year, and the owner (a lady) has been missing since the case emerged.
No one from the company is responding, and I am currently stuck in Dubai due to a travel ban imposed on me related to this case.
I need clarification on the following points:
How can I cancel my existing visa under this closed company?
Will I be able to obtain a new visa under another company despite the travel ban?
Are there any legal blocks or restrictions affecting my visa or employment options?
What legal steps can I take to resolve this situation?
I would appreciate your guidance on the next steps and any possible solutions.
Mar 20, 2025
75
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