Q: Good morning, I am writing to inquire regarding the non-compete clause. I just resigned from my previous company. I worked as admin staff and I did not have any supervisory roles, nor handle any financial responsibilities. I work for a mainland company in Dubai. Recently, I received a job offer from a competitor to do the same role. The competitor is DMCC and I will be under a Freezone visa. My employment entry permit has already been issued and I am just waiting for my residence visa to be printed. My previous employer threatened me that they will sue me because I signed a non-compete clause with them that should be effective for two years after I resigned. I am wondering if the non-compete restriction will apply to me given that I will be joining a Freezone company this time? I held a non-supervisory/admin level position in my previous company.

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have been working in a gas company for about 6 years. It is our company's rule that one cannot switch to another gas company in any scenario within 2 years of resignation from the company. They think that it may cause leaking secrets about customers and suppliers, procedures, and policies to the competitors. Is there any legal value of such imposition? Can a company hold an experience/character certificate or any other valued document or payment in such a case? Thanks!

Q: Dear sir/madam, I am a British National who has spent 90 days on a Tourist Visa (30 days extended) in Abu Dhabi. At the end of my 90 days, I was offered a working position and began at a new place of employment. I now have a working visa and Emirates ID. However, I am finding the workplace challenging and wonder if I decided to terminate my work contract (within employer guidelines and within probation periods) - what does this mean for me and my residency here? Do I have to leave the country and return again on a Tourist Visa? Do I have a grace period to find alternative work? Are there any financial penalties? I'd be grateful for some advice!

Q: Hi, I have been appointed to work as a freelancer with a registered company in the UAE. The company strictly advised me not to work or engage with a third party during my probation for the first six (6) months period, as a way of submitting to their rules. It is instructive to highlight that I'm on my own visa. Do they have to reserve this right of non-compete clause in the contract? Please advise

Q: Currently working at Company X in Dubai. I recently got a stronger offer from Company Y, a much larger firm in the same industry but in a different free zone. When I asked if Company X could match the offer, they proposed a bonus, not a salary adjustment. I resigned. While I didn’t disclose where I was going, they seem to know, and their legal team has started sending letters. My contract has restrictive clauses, including: “For 12 months post-termination, the employee shall not, without prior written consent, (a) be employed or engaged in any capacity by any business in competition in the UAE with any Restricted Business; (b) have business dealings with any Client or Prospective Client in such competition.” Friends in law say it’s too broad to enforce. I held a manager role, AED 30k/month, not C-level, though considered a key member. Despite the pressure, I believe they’re overreaching legally. Please advise if these non-compete clauses are enforceable.

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.