Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCan the employee refuse to move to another job location if asked by the employer?
9
Q: Hi,
Good day!
I just want to ask a question, My contract is unlimited and working with my company for 3 years already here in Dubai. My job is Office Assistant and the office I'm working with didn't renew the contract from my company.
Now, my company wants to send me to another Emirate which is Ras Al Khaimah. But I refused the offer because it very far and in my contract, it's written “The second party shall work for the first party in the job/profession within the UAE (Emirate Name: Dubai).
My question is do I have the right to refuse?
And if my company terminates me, do I have the rights to get my benefits and gratuity?
Thank you so much Sir/Ma'am!

Feb 9, 2021
2372
What to do if employer refuses to cancel visa and demands recruitment fee?

4
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I had an employment contract for 3 years, but I worked for only 6 months and then resigned.
The employer refused to cancel my visa and asked me to pay the recruitment fee of 5,700 AED, which was to be paid by me and my new employer.
I don't have the money to pay, and my new employer is not willing to pay for me.
What can I do now?
I have already complained to the UAE Labour.


May 29, 2023
267
Obligation to pay visa expenses to the employer upon resignation
15
Q: Hi Mr Hari,
Hope you're doing well.
I would like to ask if I'm obliged to pay my employer before I can leave the company. I'm currently employed in a free zone company in Al Qouz for 3 months, and I'm still in the probationary period.
I would like to resign because I got another job and also I'm not comfortable with the environment; that's why I look for another opportunity. Now, my employer would like me to pay a sum of AED 5250.
This fine, is it for the visa and Emirates ID? And do I really need to pay them that amount?
Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,

May 28, 2019
4053
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
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.
Sep 10, 2024
92114
Termination Without a Valid Reason - What Can You Do? 12
An interview-format article covering the topic of employment termination without a valid reason in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of termination, like notice periods, end of service benefits, arbitrary dismissal, unpaid salaries etc.
Jan 15, 2020
5515
How to File an Employment Court Case in the UAE 36
An interview-format article covering the topic of filing an employment court case in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
May 10, 2021
11307
Laws & Regulations
5 available 5 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
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.
Apr 20, 1980
103726
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
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.
Sep 27, 2015
12452
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
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).
Sep 20, 2021
26833
Ministerial Decree No. (764) of 2015 On Ministry of Labour Approved Standard Employment Contracts 5
According to this Decree, tentative approval to admit a foreign worker for the purpose of employment in the UAE cannot be granted until an Employment Offer that conforms with the Standard Employment Contract is duly signed by the employee and presented to the Ministry of Labour.
Sep 27, 2015
5080
Ministerial Decision No. (31) of 2018 Concerning Developing a New Employment System Under Part-Time Contracts 4
The Decision establishes a new employment system in the UAE allowing employers to recruit employees classified as skilled workers level 1 and 2 for a part-time job. Under this decision, skilled employees who are already employed elsewhere, can work with more than one employer under a part-time contract without the permission of any employer.
Jan 21, 2018
2472

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Can an LLC partner sell their shares to a third party without other partners' consent? 1
Dear Lawyers,
Can a partner in an LLC company (Dubai Mainland) sell their shares to a third party without the consent of the other partners?
If one partner wants to exit the company and the other shareholders are neither responding to this request nor giving permission, what is the way forward?
We have sent an email to the other shareholders notifying them of the intention to sell the shares, but there has been no response. Please advise.
Please advise!
Aug 10, 2024
227
What can I do if my company is pressuring me to sign an unfair new contract? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I joined a company in Dubai. According to the contract agreement given to me by the company, if I leave before the fixed contract period, I have to give two months' notice and pay a sum of 6000 dirhams.
I agreed to this and continued to work under that agreement. However, the company has now introduced a new contract agreement, and all employees are under pressure to sign it.
The new conditions state that no employee can take a similar job in the UAE and must agree to pay USD 3500 (AED 12600) upon leaving during the contract period.
What actions can I take regarding the unfairness of this situation?
Aug 8, 2024
120
How do I request my passport back from my employer after many refused requests? 1
Dear Lawyers,
How to request my passport back from my employer after many requests have been refused?
Jul 31, 2024
595
Can I return to Dubai by paying only the court fine for a 2016 debt case? 1
Dear Sir,
I hope this message finds you well!
I am writing to seek your advice regarding a debt case filed in 2016 in the UAE. The debt amounts to approximately 45,000 AED (20,000 AED cheque amount and 25,000 AED credit card amount).
The associated interest has now possibly exceeded 150,000 AED. I have recently secured a job in Dubai and am eager to return; however, I am currently unable to pay the full debt amount.
I am aware of a court fine of 5,000 AED. I would like to understand if there is any possibility of returning to Dubai by paying only this court fine and lawyer fee.
Could you please advise on any available legal avenues or procedures that may allow me to resolve this matter and return to Dubai under these circumstances?
Your guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and assistance!
Best Regards,
Jul 29, 2024
153
Can a landlord increase the rent via a WhatsApp message without prior notice? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been a tenant in a residential unit since 2023.
The real estate representative of the landlord sent a WhatsApp message stating that my rent is finalized at 24,200 AED, up from the previous contract amount of 22,000 AED, without any prior notice or email from the landlord.
Kindly guide me!
Jul 29, 2024
154

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My tenant was supposed to vacate as per the contract. Can I rent the property to another tenant? 0
Good morning.
My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract.
Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use.
Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.
Apr 16, 2025
42
How can we recover a salary advance to a new employee if he fails to come to duty and uses alcohol? 0
As the HR manager of a company, I have issued a salary advance to the employee. Upon joining, he failed to go to duty and used alcohol daily in the camp.
I have a signed thumb-impression cash receipt. What options do I have to recover the AED 7000 advance paid to the employee?
Please help.
Regards,
B.
Apr 16, 2025
50
Can my sister file a claim for compensation after a criminal case for sexual harassment? 0
Hello,
My sister filed a criminal case against her employer (sexual harassment), and it is already with the Public Prosecutor.
Her employer refuses to compensate her at all. Can we file a civil claim? When should we do it?
Can we still file a civil claim after the judgment of the case?
Apr 25, 2025
43
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟ 0
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟
Apr 25, 2025
20
Can I use my husband's case number to get information about his exit date? 0
Hello,
I have my husband's case number. Can I get information about his exit date using the case number?
Fujairah Jail.
Apr 16, 2025
39

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Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
8
Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
11
How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
34
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
18
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
Apr 28, 2025
14

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How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and notice? 0
Hello,
How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and one-month notice?
Apr 29, 2025
14
Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
11
How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
34
What can I do if my neighbors are constantly doing construction work and constantly drilling? 0
I live in a townhouse with a shared wall with my neighbors. They are constantly doing construction work and constantly drilling on the shared wall.
They said it will last for 2 months, working 6 days a week. It is driving us crazy, and there is no way to live this way, and I have to work from home.
I am very stressed. What is the immediate solution, please?
Apr 25, 2025
39
What legal action can a company take to recover an amount from a non-paying customer? 0
Hello,
We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date.
We would appreciate guidance on the following:
1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount?
2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)?
3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases?
4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Apr 25, 2025
48

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Can a DTC holiday home permit be used as proof that my landlord re-rented the property after evicting me? 1
Hello,
My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself.
However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system.
Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?
Mar 18, 2025
68
I have video recording of my husband beating me. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? 0
I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden.
Can I show this in the child custody hearing?
It was filmed with my phone camera
Mar 19, 2025
69
We won the case with the RDC to evict the tenant. What happens after waiting the cooling period? 0
We won the case with the RDC that the tenant has to evict the property. We are told there is a cooling period before they say the date he has to leave.
How long is the cooling period he can appeal and then what happens next if he appeals and if he doesn't?
He was served the one-year notice and then refused to leave, hence the case we raised with RDC and won.
Thank you
Mar 19, 2025
56
Can a free zone visa holder work remotely across the UAE while visiting the company weekly? 1
Hello,
Is it legally permissible for an employee holding a Fujairah free zone visa with a job role in sales and marketing to primarily work remotely from various locations, including Dubai, while visiting the Fujairah-based company once a week?
The employee would meet clients and conduct business activities on the UAE mainland.
Does this arrangement comply with UAE labor laws?
Mar 19, 2025
67
What are the working hour regulations for nursing mothers in the UAE during Ramadan? 1
Hello lawyers,
Could you please clarify the regulations regarding working hours for nursing/breastfeeding mothers in the UAE during Ramadan?
How many hours are they entitled to?
Mar 20, 2025
106
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