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
1011
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
653
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
17689
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
976
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
427
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
112
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
101
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
8536
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
11372
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
103905
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
5104

Premium
Other answers by
Can we file a case against a customer who launched a campaign online against our business reputation? 0
Hello,
A customer based in Dubai booked a public experience online on the website of a reputable business based in Dubai.
The customer came to the business location, the team was ready to provide the experience as per her booking.
The customer started to shout loudly, claiming that she was expecting a private experience. She refused to do the experience and left. Then she started calling the Management claiming a refund.
The Management explained that as per the T&Cs, experiences booked online are public. The Management offered as a goodwill gesture to refund the customer after deducting the cost of preparations that were paid by the business to set up the experience. The customer refused.
The customer used her Instagram account and as an influencer + Google review to launch a campaign against the business reputation, inciting her audience/people not to use the business services. She used signs of alert/warnings.
Is there a law that punishes such public incitement in the UAE?
Jun 11, 2025
81
Can I go without the bailiff to receive the keys of my house from the tenant based on a court judgment? 0
Hi,
My tenant was not paying rent, so I filed a case and won it. The court has given a bailiff eviction date of 7th July. The tenant also has outstanding rent plus court fees to pay.
The tenant called me and proposed an out-of-court settlement. She is offering to hand over the keys today, along with her furniture, to compensate for the outstanding rent.
I don't trust the tenant as she has lied many times. She's asking me to come visit the apartment to look at the furniture and take the keys.
1. Please advise if it's ok to visit the apartment and take the keys and furniture without involving the bailiff. Do I need to report the furniture adjustment against the rent due to the court?
2. Can she create any other problem on my physical visit, although I have WhatsApp messages of her request?
3. Can she request payment installments from the court if I don't agree to take her furniture?
4. Can I write down the settlement with her on a plain piece of paper with her signature?
Jun 18, 2025
31
How can we remove a partner from the license if he is present but unresponsive? 0
Good day!
One of our partners on the license has not been in communication since November 2024.
He is also in Dubai but is not answering phone calls or replying to messages.
What is the procedure to remove his name from the license in this situation without his absence?
Please advise!
Jun 2, 2025
31
Is it legally acceptable to give birth in the UAE if the mother is single? 0
Hello,
Is it okay to give birth in the UAE if the mother is single and the father is married?
Will there be any problem with that, as long as the parents declare that they are the biological parents to obtain the child's birth certificate?
Jun 3, 2025
66
How long does it take for a bounced cheque case to be closed after a settlement? 0
Hello,
I had a cheque bounce case filed against me in Dubai, but I’ve now settled it with the complainant. The case has been with the Public Prosecution, and I’ve already submitted the notarized settlement documents.
It’s been 5 days since submission, and when I checked with the legal team, they couldn’t give me a clear timeline on how long it might take for the case to be withdrawn and for me to receive clearance.
Does anyone here have experience with this process? How long did it take for your case to be closed after submitting the notarized withdrawal request? Should I expect it to be done in a few days, or could it take longer?
Thanks in advance!
Jun 4, 2025
108
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