UAE expats facing ban threat from employers? What you need to know

Dubai has emerged as one of the best cities in the world for employment and living. However, there are couple of incidents that proves that employers in Dubai or UAE can create various unsolicited issues for the employees. To avoid being harassed by the employer, before taking up a job expats should be aware of certain legalities and their own rights.

If you are employed in a free zone company then it has to be registered under Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and therefore, these employers are subjected to provisions of Federal Law No 8 of 1980, on Regulation of Labour Relations. 

Every new job starts with a probation period when the new employee is not considered a permanent employee of the company. After the completion of this period usually, the permanent confirmation certificate in written is given to the employee. However, this certificate is not mandatory. So, if the employment continues even after the probation period then it means successful completion of the probation period.

Secondly, in case the employee wants to change his or her job the DMCC usually do not impose labour ban, so do not give into any labour ban threat made by your employer. 

Also, if the employer demands reimbursement of damages caused by the exit of the employee, the latter is liable to pay for any prejudice caused to the employer. Further, according to provisions of Article 116 of the Labour Law, this amount should not exceed 45 days’ salary of the employee. 

This condition is only for the employees under limited period contract. If the employee with unlimited period contract only a notice period of 30 days has to be served as per the Article 117 of the Labour Law. 

In short, the legal provisions are there that secure the interests of the employees and saves them from exploitation. 

• Dubai
• Labour law
• Gulf