Dubai is a place where hundreds of different nationalities live and work together, there is no doubt that the majority of the work sector consists of expatriates. The Dubai government has very clear and precise legislation regulating employment within the UAE. However one of the most frequently asked question by expatriates is concerns regarding a labour ban.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) issues the labour ban and legally restricts the individual from working in another company in the UAE. Labour bans can range in duration from one year to a permanent ban. The MOHRE hotline allows individuals to get check whether they have a ban or not 24x7. UAE Labour Law No. 8 for 1980, Ministerial Resolution No.721 for 2006, Ministerial Resolution No.724 for 2006, Ministerial Resolutions No. 707 for 2006 and Resolution No.765 for 2015 are the laws which govern the labour and employer and employee rights.
The two common reasons a labour ban is imposed by an employer is when an employee breaks a limited contract or when an employee absconds. An employee cannot leave from his/her employment without submitting prior notice. The employer, in this case, can request for a labour ban of up to one year, regardless of whether the employee's residency is sponsored by the employer or not. An employee is said to have absconded if they not report for work for more than a week (7 days) without a valid reason or in other words, the employee appears to have gone AWOL (absent without leave) for 20 days in a year. If absconding has been reported by an employer, the employee cannot work in the country for a year from the time of reporting.
The labour laws in the UAE protect the rights and interests of both the employer and employee, always ensure that you are aware of the law by getting from a genuine legal advisor, so that the efficient laws of the UAE can work effectively.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
