Q: Hi Sir, I have a quick question for you. I established a business registered in DMCC 10 years ago that I sold at the end of 2016. I had an agreement to remain in the business until the end of 2017. I am currently exiting the business. My question is, am I entitled to the end of service benefits being currently employed by the new owner? If yes, is the calculation from the beginning of my employment or at the date I sold this business? Many thanks, Best regards, Nicolas

Q: Hi. Could I please get some advice on the following: I own a company in the UAE, It is an LLC. I am a partner and I have a local partner holding 51%. We have a separate contract that gives me all ownership. I am sponsored through my company. I would like to cancel my work visa with my own company and be sponsored by another company to work for them. My company is run and managed by employees. My question is, am I able to cancel my working visa, be employed by another company but retain ownership of my own business? I will not be taking a salary from my business. Any help regarding this matter would be appreciated. Thank you.

Q: Good Day, My partner and I have been 50/50 shareholders in a transport company for the last 35 years. Now we reached a stage where we can't stand each other. I offered my partner that I will run the company for 2 years and agreed on remuneration to him with a fixed amount to be paid irrespective of profit or loss for 2 years i.e. 2018 and 2019. We both agreed. Now we are closing the company, or else, one of us buys the other share and we need to finalize on the payout. I informed my partner to be equally responsible for the employees resigned in 2018 & 2019 regarding the end of service benefits which he has refused saying that he was not in the company for these 2 years. Those employees have been working with us before we had this agreement. Please advise if he is responsible for their payments equally or not.

Q: Hello, My husband and I registered a company in a Free Zone in the UAE. In the company, there are only two shareholders, him and me. I am a resident on a partner visa, and he is not. So, I would like to ask if it is possible to have an employment contract and receive a salary, as I perform multiple roles in the company. Thank you in advance!

Q: Dear Lawyers, I am a shareholder in my husband's company, but my visa is under my husband's name. Can I still receive a salary from his company?

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).