Q: I am working in the HR department in one of the private companies for the last 12 years. Last week I received a redundancy letter from the HR manager terminating me for reducing people. However, the actual reason is something else. I have sent an email to our company helpline on the HR manager and complained about him, and he came to know that I have sent an email to the senior manager. It was only me who got this letter from the HR department. Now, they got a replacement for my position. Can I file a complaint against the company in the labour court? Please advise.

Q: Hello there, I have been informed by my employer for 34 months, that my position is no longer required in our Dubai free zone office. I was employed in 2014 to take up a Dubai-based position and I was informed that I would be taking over a Middle East Director in two years. They have asked that I relocate to the UK in 3 months to take up the same position, they have given me 1 week to accept this offer. Given that there is no mobility clause in my employment contract and offer letter, would I be within my right to refuse this offer on the grounds that it is unreasonable as we now know that it would take us (a family of 4 with 2 children) longer than 3 months to plan and move the family back to the UK? What rights do I have if my employer were to make my position redundant, would I have grounds to sue for constructive dismissal as my performance has never been in question?

Q: The company I have worked at for over 3 years terminated my contract alleging that the company forecast is not famous, as the clients are not awarding us new jobs. The reason is not related to my work nor my performance. Never had any negative feedback nor complaints whatsoever from the company. In your opinion, can my dismissal be considered arbitrary?

س: تحية وبعد، إنهاء عقد عمل موظف غير محدد المدة بدون سبب، هل يعتبر تعسفي؟

Q: Is it legal for an employer to end a contract basically with the 2 months as per the labour law and not having solid reasons without going through the process of written warning in order to terminate an employee? Thank you.

Q: Hi Anitha My contract was terminated not for work-related issues on my part and was given the 60 days notice as per the contract. My question is, does this termination constitute arbitrary termination against the law? And if this is the case, will I be entitled to a minimum of three months pay?

Q: Hello My company has terminated me saying that the project got finished so my position is not required anymore. I want to know what kind of termination is this and what I am entitled to get. Also, will I get 3 months salary guaranteed or is it up to 3 months salary and it could be 1-month salary only plus gratuity?

س: ما النص القانوني الذي يُجيز لصاحب العمل (شركة بترول وطنية) إنهاء عقد عمل غير محدد المدة لعامل (موظف مباشر)؟ وما شروط صحة إنهاء العقد؟ وهل هناك طريقة للعامل أو الموظف لتجاوز ورفض هذا الاجراء؟

Q: Hello, I would like to ask about pending vacation days under UAE labour law. If an employee is terminated for cause and they are not entitled to gratuity, does this mean that they are not entitled to get paid for their pending vacation days either? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

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).