Q: In regards to the UAE Labor Law and the application of End of Service Gratuity, if an individual was employed by another branch of a company before transferring to an FZE branch UAE based employment contract, would that be considered continuous employment? For example, the initial employment was in another Middle East location(s) within a European registered branch; however, all administration (HR / Management oversight) was conducted by FZE entity, after which, in acceptance of promotion, a relocation to the UAE and an FZE contract was entered.

Q: I was working in France for a company and got transferred to the UAE with the same company. As part of the transfer process, I resigned from my French position and signed a new local contract for the new position. My employer issued a letter mentioning the resignation and the new position benefits as well as clearly mentioning that my employment with the company is continuous (ie. my start date with the company remains the same as my start date in France). I have now resigned from my UAE position and am in the middle of my notice period. I have discussed with my account department the details of the End of Service Gratuity and found that they do not consider the French start date but the UAE start date in their calculation. The letter as well as multiple company internal procedures clearly state that when an internal transfer happens, the start date with the Group remains. As I was forced to resign from my French contract, I have not taken any compensation for the years worked. Please advise!

Q: I am under DMCC. My visa has already expired on Nov., 8. My company told me that they will transfer me to an LLC (same owner). I emailed them reminding them that aside from my gratuity, I also have a pending ticket allowance. They replied to me and sent a letter that from DMCC, I will be transferred to an LLC due to the expiry date. My employment will be continued with no changes to my end of service entitlement and annual leave. Is this letter valid? Will this letter be enough proof and assurance that at the end of my service I will get the dues from my last company (DMCC)?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can you assist us with our query? Our company is initially registered in Dubai Internet City (DIC) and will be transferred to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Can we transfer the employee's accumulated end-of-service benefits (EOSB) while in the DIC to DEWS contribution? Or is it not possible and we need to pay the EOSB first to the employee and start anew with the DEWS contribution?

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 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).

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.