Q: My company was taken over by another company. The management of the new company assured us, old employees, that we won't be terminated. My visa got expired on the first week of November 2017. So I asked my boss about the renewal and he assured me that it's a long process and might take time for the renewal. On the 1st week of December, I was called along with some other staff to the head office, got informed that they are not going to renew our contracts and we have to stop going to work. I have an unlimited contract. The company did not give us any notice in advance nor did they make us sign on any papers and we did not receive any termination letter. In this situation, I would like to know our rights as per the labour law. I am still searching for a job and I have a loan with the bank. Appreciate your advice in advance.

Q: What is maximum compensation for employment contract for 5 years but where after 1st year the original owner divested of the business but never gave a termination notice to staff?

Q: I sold my company four months back in Sharjah, UAE and relocated to India. Now one of my employees who left the company and cancelled the visa prior to the company sale has filed a lawsuit against new owners for which he claims some salary due and a leave salary. I was not aware of dues or not informed by my management team. Who is responsible in this case to settle the due as per law?

س: لقد قامت الشركة بفسخ عقد العمل غير المحدد (فصل تعسفي) في شهر يوليو وأعطي لي شهر إنذار ولكن لم آخذ مستحقاتي منذ ذلك الحين لوجود بناتي على مقاعد الدراسة حتى الآن حتى 11/7/2019 والبحث عن وظيفة أخرى في هذة المدة وإقامتي تنتهي في 11/6/2019. قامت الشركه بتعيين موظفين آخرين منذ ذلك الوقت. فوجئت باتصال من الشركة يجبرني على إلغاء الإقامة الآن وإلغاء إقامة الأهل والبنات أولاً وأنهم غير مسؤولين عن تكملة البنات لدراستهم. أرجو الإفادة

Q: In Jan 2019, a part-owner joined our company. My gratuity was paid and I received a new appointment letter, mentioning that I'm continuing with the new management with a lower salary and a 6 months probationary period. But, my labour contract with JAFZA was not cancelled. On my 6th month (182nd day), I received the non-confirmation letter through email. They said that they will give an extension of 1 one month, but I have to request. I did request through email then they replied that the same was treated as my resignation. On my LWD (7th months), my manager told me to continue, so I thought I was going to be retained. But after a week, she sent me an email stating that the company just gave me 1 more month and that they have to discontinue my services due to the change in our department. Hence, I worked for another 1 month. Can I claim arbitrary dismissal in this case? Also, since the previous owner paid the gratuity and leave salary only up to Jan 2019, can I also claim for same from Jan 2019 up to my LWD?

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).