Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCan 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
636
The 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
989
Working for 20hrs a day without vacations. What to do?
1
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.

Jun 12, 2022
265
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allHow 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
11309
An Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
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.
Sep 10, 2024
92366
Can 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
8480
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • 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
103747
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
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).
Sep 20, 2021
26910
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
5086

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Other answers by
Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
10
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
17
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
39
How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
Apr 30, 2025
21
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
41

Other answers by
إمكانية المطالبة بالمستحقات العمالية بناءً على الراتب الفعلي وليس المكتوب في العقد 1
السلام عليكم،
أعمل في شركة في العين مند ثلاث سنوات ونصف "منها سنة وعشرة أشهر إقامة تابعة للشركة" وما تبقى كنت أعمل بالإعارة من شركة أخرى. راتبي في عقد العمل 500 درهم ولكن راتبي الفعلي 2500 درهم.
هل يحق لي المطالبة قانونًا على حسب الراتب الفعلي؟
وهل فترة العمل بالإعارة تدخل ضمن أيام المستحقات؟
علمًا بأنني أستلم راتبي بشكل مباشر بإيصال قبض من الشركة، وراتب العقد (500) أستلمه بنكيًا أو عبر فروع الأنصاري.
Jul 17, 2023
244
Mold in apartment due to construction fault: Can I get compensation? 1
Hi everyone,
I rent an apartment. After two days in the apartment, water started leaking from the ceiling.
It turned out to be a fault in the building's construction, which caused condensation in the false ceilings. When the panels were demolished, it was found that they were all full of mold.
The building manager has started work, but the apartment is no longer habitable.
Should the landlord compensate me for the lack of peaceful enjoyment of the property?
Jul 17, 2023
444
My company is asking us to work 9 hours this Ramadan. What can we do? 7
My company is asking us to do 9 hrs. duty this Ramadan starting last 8th of April 2023 without overtime pay.
And no one from my colleagues wants to complain as they are scared of what might happen.
Just today, my showroom manager is asking me to extend until 12 pm when I started my duty from 10 am and I am fasting.
What can I do?
Apr 13, 2023
572
Can I give birth legally in Dubai if I am unmarried to the father? 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
Can I give birth legally in Dubai if I am unmarried to the father?
Apr 14, 2023
1164
Unfairly fired with demands to repay housing allowance: Is it legal? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
My employer (Federal) signed a 3-year contract with me. They have now given me 3 months' notice, ending my contract in May rather than August, saying that my contract was not renewed.
There was no reason given for my non-renewal. My evaluations have been consistently excellent. Further, they are now demanding 3 months of housing allowance be repaid. Is this legal?
Apr 14, 2023
168
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