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Understanding Your Workplace Rights and Employment Protections in the UAE

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Navigating the workplace can be daunting, especially when you are unsure about what your employer can and cannot do. The UAE Labour Law sets out clear rules for the protection of employees across both mainland and free zone companies. In this article, you will find real workplace situations that employees have faced, and how the law supports them.

How UAE Labour Law Protects Employees

The law is designed to create a fair working environment where employees are treated with dignity and compensated appropriately for their work. It governs every stage of the employment relationship, including:

  • Hiring and onboarding, ensuring clear written contracts registered through the authorities
  • Salaries and overtime entitlements, including protections against late or withheld wages
  • Working hours, leave, and public holidays, so time off and rest are respected
  • Job duties and role expectations, preventing employers from changing terms without agreement
  • End-of-service gratuity, safeguarding employees’ financial rights when employment ends
  • Workplace conduct and safety, shielding workers from bullying, harassment, and unsafe conditions
  • Residency and sponsorship obligations, ensuring visa stability is not used as leverage

The law aims to balance employer needs with employee protection. When a dispute arises, knowing where your rights begin and end becomes crucial, because timing and documentation can completely change the outcome.

Your Employment Questions, Answered

1. My employer is holding my passport. Can I complain to MOHRE?

Yes, and you should take action.

Employers cannot legally retain your passport under UAE Labour Law unless you voluntarily provide written consent, and even then, you can withdraw it at any time. The fastest remedy is an Order on Petition through the Labour Court. Decisions are usually issued within one or two days, and enforced by police if needed.

2. I’m performing duties beyond my job title. Can I claim compensation?

It depends on what you can prove.

If you were assigned higher-level responsibilities that should come with higher pay, you may have grounds for compensation, as long as you act within the two-year limitation period for labour claims. But if you perform the elevated duties for a long time without protest, it may be treated as an implied acceptance of the new role. That weakens a retroactive claim.

The key is showing the change was significant, involuntary, and not appropriately recognized.

3. My employer didn’t cancel my visa after I resigned. What now?

You must take action. It is not solely the employer’s responsibility, and, never assume cancellation will happen on its own.

If your former employer does not cancel your visa, you can file a complaint with MOHRE or relevant free zone authority. If that fails, a court can order immigration to cancel it. If you leave the UAE with an active visa still in the system, you risk:

  • Fines
  • Travel complications
  • Legal issues on re-entry

4. Are whistleblowers protected in UAE private companies?

Yes, but protection depends on where and how you report. Clear legal protection applies when reporting serious misconduct to official authorities, such as:

In these cases, retaliation is taken seriously.

However:

  • Mainland private sector: limited statutory protection
  • Internal reporting to HR or management: not guaranteed protection
  • Reporting fraud against the employer: courts usually favor good faith employees

Best practice for protection: go through official channels, not internal HR.

Why Early Action Matters

When workplace issues are left unresolved, they can quickly turn into:

  • Salary or visa disputes
  • Employment bans
  • Safety risks
  • Loss of rights due to legal time limits

The earlier you understand your rights, the more control you have over the outcome.

How LYLAW Can Assist With Your Employment Disputes

LYLAW represents employees at every stage of the employment relationship, including:

  • Contract and policy review
  • Wage and benefit disputes
  • Passport and mobility restrictions
  • Whistleblower retaliation
  • Visa and cancellation assistance

If something feels wrong at work, speaking to an experienced employment lawyer early can protect both your career and your residency.

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