I was employed as a physiotherapist with a clinic in Dubai Healthcare City, but in the fourth month of employment I became pregnant. The clinic environment with all the high-frequency machines is unsafe for pregnant women, so I resigned. I am sponsored by my husband so my employer only had to provide me with a Labour Card. Now in the final settlement, they are deducting the cost of the Labour Card. Is that legal? MT, Dubai
While free zones can have slightly different rules regarding employment, the main provisions of UAE Labour Law generally apply. It is not permitted to ask an employee to repay their expenses related to their employment, per ministerial order 52 of 1989, Article 6. The actual cost is not high but will vary. In most cases it is less than Dh500, but the employer is liable for this cost, not the employee. If the company does not comply, she can make a case with the Ministry of Labour.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years of experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate independent legal advice
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