Q: Dear sir/madam, My employer mentioned what they owe me in my termination. Later, after they fired me and I filed a court case, they sent me another letter telling me if I don’t sign the visa cancellation letter by 2 pm, the amount (which was already mentioned in my termination letter as part of our contractual agreement) will not be paid to me. This is a small local company and I understand that “without prejudice” is not recognized by the UAE labor law. I, therefore, wonder why they labeled it as such. Signing the visa cancellation document mean I had to (falsely) confirm that I received all my dues and that I would waive all my legal rights in bringing a claim. Therefore, I didn’t sign. Question 1: Are they allowed to revoke what they already offered in the termination letter, after they fired me? Question 2: Is it legal to make the payment of one’s dues subject to signing the visa cancellation? (Can you think why they made it “without prejudice”?)

Q: My company is having Hamryaa free zone company. I am on their visa. But my workplace was in Dubai (with their head office). My contract expired on Aug 13 and still, I am not paid my 5 months' salary and other settlement. Now they are asking me to sign the paper for cancellation. My dues are not paid and said they will give a monthly basis. But I am going back to my home country. What to do? Can anyone help me, please?

Q: Hi, I am working for a company in Dubai that has a trade license registered both under the mainland and in the free zone. My work permit was under free zone for the last 06 years and now they have requested me to cancel the free zone visa and get the new work permit under the mainland. They have forwarded me a document from Tecom to proceed with the cancellation, stating that I have received all my dues as part of gratuity. However, the mitigation company has given a service continuation letter stating this is just an internal process and I have not received my dues. Is this enough to protect me legally from any dispute that may occur in the future, or do I need to ask them for a notary attestation of the outstanding dues to get more protection from a legal perspective? Kindly advise. Thanks

Q: Hello How long will it take for the company to cancel my entry working permit? And what are the procedures and requirements?

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.