Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allLabour law claims are time barred after one year

2
Q: I have worked for a company in a senior management role for two years and resigned due to my personal reasons.
My resignation was accepted and I was asked to hand over the charge to new management since more than one year ago now. My visa was also cancelled after a few months of my resignation.
The new management took the charge and could not manage the business efficiently after my exit, and the business which resulted in the termination of the new management.
The company is now blaming me that during my tenure with the company earlier, there was some wrong decision taken which has caused losses to the company.
The company now wants to file a legal case against me. I am getting several threatening messages and calls to come back and resolve the old issues, which is causing me mental torture and disturbance in my family.
I am not in a position to help the company to recover their irreparable damages now.
Please advise what is the UAE labour law for such a situation.


Dec 25, 2018
1182
Limitation period for labour related matters
2
Q: Dear Sir,
I have worked March 2008 to July 2011 in Mushrif National Construction LLC Central Market Project Souk - Abu Dhabi. My job designation was IT Assitant, my salary was Dhs 3200/- per month. Also, they have provided yearly two-way tickets and leave salary benefits.
In July 2011 I went to India for long leave. The company terminated me on January 31, 2012. After that, they calculated my indemnity money Dhs 6044/-. Partly they have sent my pending salaries and my indemnity money, they have sent only Dhs 2000/- till now. They did not pay my balance indemnity money Dhs 4044/-.
I have sent a lot of emails and mobile calls with no response from Mushrif National Construction LLC. Kindly please help.

Mar 30, 2017
943
Claiming unpaid salaries and entitlements for arbitrary termination
3
Q: Labor Case
I have not been paid 4+ months in salaries of 40,500. I have served in the company 5.8+ years to date. I am due to pending salaries, leave salaries for 51 days, gratuity and a personal balance of 54,000.
My present company has been sold to another company and I have been requested to continue my job at a lower salary and demoted from my current position of General Manager which are terms of arbitrary termination.
I have refused to sign stating I will not do so until my pending salaries and dues are settled. They have not terminated me nor have I resigned from my current position as I believe they are not legally authorized too.
They have not transferred the TL to their names yet. However, they are sitting in our office and making transactions on behalf of the company and operating the bank accounts.
The previous owner is unreachable both by email and phone.
As per the above, what are my options to claim?

Jan 9, 2019
1289
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn 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
92385
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal 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
26911
Federal 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
103748
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
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.
Sep 27, 2015
12459

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What happens when the property is sold mid-lease? 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
Does the existing tenancy contract between the tenant and the previous owner remain in force even after the new landlord has purchased the property in the middle of an ongoing lease?
And when should a new tenancy contract be made?
Should it be made immediately after the property has been sold, or at the end of the ongoing tenancy contract signed between the previous owner of the property and the tenant?
Also, does a new contract have to be in place for the tenant to exchange the cheques, or does the existing tenancy contract with the previous owner remain valid for the purpose of exchanging the cheques?
Apr 5, 2023
788
Evicting an employee from school accommodation while a labor case is pending 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was wrongfully terminated by my school under Article 44 on March 20th, 2023. I have a case in the labor courts, and the first hearing is on April 4th, 2023.
However, my employer is asking me to vacate the school accommodation. I asked the Ministry of Labor and the courts, and they informed me that the school cannot evict me until the case is resolved.
Is this information correct?
I am currently unemployed and have nowhere else to go until I find another job.
Apr 3, 2023
144
If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa? 10
Hi,
May you and your family be blessed.
I'm extremely tense and need your kind feedback on the following issue.
If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa?
I have been visiting Dubai on a tourist visa without any problems.
The ban was imposed because I had to leave KSA suddenly and could not return after an exit-entry, and I was unable to pay back my car EMI and credit card payment totaling 30k SAR, which I intend to pay off gradually now.
When I left KSA, they only had my fingerprints at the time. I also understand that while coming for a visit to Dubai, only a retinal scan is done.
On the other hand, when obtaining a work visa, UAE takes and registers fingerprints as well. Could this lead to any issues for me?
I have finally obtained a better-paying job after a long time and can finally save up to pay off my debts. The case registered for which the travel ban is imposed is only for SAR 16000.
As of now, I cannot afford to hire a lawyer to check in UAE.
Thank you for your help!
Mar 29, 2023
1936
Tenant's rights: Can my landlord evict me, raise my rent, and ban my pet? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
My landlord wants to evict me from the property where I reside. They have not provided a court order for eviction within the past 12 months.
Additionally, they are requesting a 40% increase in rent and are insisting on a 6-month fixed-term renewal, despite the RERA index indicating no such increase.
Furthermore, they have included an unreasonable clause that prohibits pets, even though I have lived on the property with a pet for over three years.
What options do I have if I do not agree to these demands?
Mar 16, 2023
471
What can a cheque signatory of company expect if a cheque he issued has bounced? 0
Dear Respected,
I have a travel ban on me and a case raised in Dubai Courts against the company. The reason is the company owner asked me to sign a cheque to a service provider and the cheque bounced.
I'm not a shareholder in the license. I'm not a partner in the license or elsewhere. I'm not a manager in the license or elsewhere.
I only hold a POA from the owner to assist him in opening a bank account while he was abroad and be the authorized signatory in the bank.
What should I do in this case?
Thank you respected.
Jan 4, 2023
471

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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
16
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
40
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

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I received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees. Does this include lawyer fees? 0
I have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees.
However, RDC says that legal fees do not mean lawyer fees; they are RDC fees only.
Is this correct?
Feb 14, 2025
122
The public prosecution appealed a judgment to increase the fine I already paid. What do I do now? 0
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your time.
The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine.
Can you please explain what happens during a criminal case appeal hearing for me as a defendant?
Will I be asked questions?
Is the hearing just for the Public Prosecution to present their appeal to the judge, and I do not need to give a response?
Thank you again for your time.
Feb 7, 2025
182
Can we give a salary certificate to a new hired employee before he starts to open a bank account? 0
Dear lawyers,
The new employee will start on June 1, 2025. However, he would like to open a new bank account in the UAE thus asking to provide the salary certificate mentioning his salary in AED and if possible not mentioning the start date.
Legally, can the company provide such a certificate?
Feb 4, 2025
144
I received a termination letter from my company for restructuring. Is this considered arbitrary dismissal? 0
I received a termination letter from my company on January 31st, 2025, with a one-month notice period, stating my last working day as February 28th, 2025.
The reason given for the termination is "considering the current business scenario, the company has considered measures to reorganize the business."
Could this be considered arbitrary dismissal?
Am I entitled to any compensation or benefits from the company as a result of this termination?
Feb 5, 2025
128
Do I need to hire a lawyer if I found I have a marital case against me in the court? 1
By checking in Al Adheed, I have found there is a marital matter case against me in Dubai Courts. There is a hearing date for next week and the time mentioned in the case status with a link for an online hearing.
However, I have not received any message from Dubai courts regarding this by mail or phone. I have all contact details updated with EID. In this case, what should I do?
I don’t know what the case is about.
Should I hire a lawyer or I can attend the hearing by myself?
Please do suggest options.
Feb 3, 2025
110

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My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
12
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
16
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
40
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
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