Business

Labour ban does not apply on unlimited contract once notice period has been served

I have worked for a company for more than a year as a labour supervisor. Now I have been offered a chemist job in a factory as I am a chemical engineer. They have offered me Dh4,000 per month. I am on an unlimited contract, but will I get a ban due to my salary if I leave?

Keren Bobker

March 31, 2017

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I have worked for a company for more than a year as a labour supervisor. Now I have been offered a chemist job in a factory as I am a chemical engineer. They have offered me Dh4,000 per month. I am on an unlimited contract, but will I get a ban due to my salary if I leave? JA, Sharjah

Under the current employment rules, JA will not receive a ban if he chooses to leave his current employer provided he gives them appropriate written notice in accordance with his contract of employment.

This is usually 30 days, per UAE Labour Law, but some contracts may state a longer period. Provided notice is given, and as he has an unlimited contract and has been with the company for a period of more than six months, he will not be subject to an employment or labour ban.

I am an American citizen wanting to fly to Dubai to attend a four-day conference. I want to enter Dubai on April 12 and depart on April 18. However, my passport expires on May 5. I have already applied for a new one and have the receipt to show as proof, but the new one will only be available on May 3. If I produce the receipt and letter of the conference that I am attending, will immigration allow me to enter? ZK, USA

As is the case with the majority of countries, the UAE requires visitors to have six months’ validity on their passport to enter the country, although this usually reduces to three months for residents. It is clearly stated on the website of the UAE embassy in Washington DC that US citizens visiting the UAE must have an “original passport signed by the bearer, should not expire within six months from the expected time of arrival in the UAE”.

The airlines will be aware of this requirement and will generally not permit someone to check in and board a plane if the individual is likely to be denied entry to a country due to not having a valid passport.

A passport with less than a month’s validity is not acceptable to the Department of Immigration in the UAE. Proof that a new passport has been applied for is not an acceptable replacement for a valid passport and emergency travel documents are not valid for entry to the UAE.

I can only suggest that ZK finds a way of expediting the issue of his new passport if he wishes to travel to the UAE on the dates stated.

* Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years’ 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.

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