I was relocated to the UAE in June by my current employer in Pakistan and I was asked to sign a bond of three years. If I leave before that I need to pay back the visa and relocation expenses. How legitimate is that? I am a single woman and having to deal with an unpleasant attitude at work, so I would like to resign. Will I have to pay anything back if I resign with a one month notice period? SH, Abu Dhabi
Even if someone is relocated by an employer in another country, UAE Labour Law will apply once someone is working in the UAE. Per Ministerial order 52 of 1989, Article 6 an employer may not ask an employee to repay their visa costs or other expenses on leaving employment. The phrase “three year bond” is unclear but a fixed-term contract per UAE Labour Law is now usually two year, so I understand that SH is on an unlimited contract so there are no monetary penalties for leaving employment. The three-year agreement is solely between the employee and employer in respect of the secondment period. If SH intends to return to Pakistan then she should be free to take up alternative employment there, but if she wants to stay in the UAE, she will be subject to an employment ban, as she would be leaving employment without having worked for a full 12 months.
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
