Q: Hello, On 17th March, I have traveled to India on my annual leave (approved by the company) and I was supposed to return on the 10th of April but due to the Corona outbreak, all the flights were canceled so I am stuck in India. Now last week, around 26 or 27th April, my company called me and they informed me on a phone call that, due to this unexpected situation, we are not getting any new business so we decided to remove you from my position at the company with immediate effects. They have not even paid me my annual leaves. Now without giving any notice, they simply asked me not to continue with the company, and they are not ready to pay anything, giving an excuse for the loss of business. I have joined this company in September 2019. My contract is an unlimited contract. Could you please let me know if I open the case against my employer, can I get the end of service benefits? They also said we can continue your visa if you want to come back to look for another job.

Q: An absconding case is for those employees who do not inform their employer when they leave or who did not return back to work. But my case was different, I informed my employer regarding the accident which happened to me here in my country Philippines. I submitted all legal medical documents to support my extension of vacation leave. I was shocked when the office replied I'm no longer have a chance to go back to the UAE cause they have already filed an absconding case against me. Please, sir, help me for this. It's not fair to me. Thank you very much for your kindness.

Q: Dear Madam, I have worked for a company in Dubai on an unlimited contract since April 2019. At the end of March, I was sent home to Europe by my employer for my annual leave for the month of April. I had a flight ticket to come back to Dubai on May 1st, which is now canceled by Emirates Airlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the consequences if I can not return back to Dubai for the month of May as planned? Will it be legal for them not to pay my May salary, since it was the company’s decision to send me to annual leave during that pandemic? Thank you for your advice!

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.

As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.

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.