Q: I am working for a travel agency. They told me orally you will be terminated, but till date, they didn't send any mail regarding termination. So, when does my termination start and I know one month is a grace period? Can I return my emirates id? And one more question, my company made a contract of 2 years. Now, I completed 9 months only. Can I get paid any amount (gratuity) while leaving?

Q: I am working in DMCC. My company is not paying my correct end of service nor unclaimed leave salary nor notice period. Also, they deducted 2000 per month for 7 months saying it's cost-cutting which I never accepted, and they said they will compensate later. Which court do I need to approach if mediation there fails and what are my rights? Is the mediation not able to tell that too there?

Q: I have been given a verbal termination notice of two months. What are the repercussions if I can prove that I have been fired from the position of the Chief Accountant because I was not signing on fake payroll sheets to be filed with the labour department, when in fact, actual payroll contains overtime way in excess of local labour laws? Also, should I work full time during these two months as I have to search for a job also during this period? Also, our company had a joint venture and they terminated its accounting staff 4 years back and told me to take up full responsibility of managing accounts and audit of that company over and above my actual working in the existing company, with a verbal commitment that I will be compensated extra for the same. Later on, my company started charging to that joint venture for the accounting services rendered by me, but despite my requests so far no monetary compensation has been passed on to me. Can I file a claim on the same in labour court?

س: مرحبًا، في 17 يونيو عند الساعة الواحدة ظهرًا، تلقيت مكالمة هاتفية على رقمي الشخصي من ابن صاحب الشركة التي أعمل بها كمدير تنفيذي منذ 2009 ليخبرني أنه بسبب الوضع المالي السيء للشركة، فقد قررنا الاستغناء عن خدماتك. وحتى هذه الساعة لم أستلم أي إخطار كتابي، ومازلت أمارس عملي كالمعتاد. أرجو إفادتي بالمتوجب عمله حتى أحمي حقوقي المالية!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can an employer terminate an employee without giving a termination letter? My employer told me that I need to find another job, but they didn't give me a termination letter. I'm confused about whether I should still go to work. What should I do?

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).