I currently work as a sales coordinator on a salary of Dh3,500 per month without any other benefits. My contract is unlimited and has a start date but no end date. In the contract, which I have signed and agreed to, there is a six-month probation period, and I have been with the company for a little over four months. My residency visa is in my passport, but the company is holding it and I haven't received my labour card yet. My Emirates ID is also ready. I have now been given a better opportunity in a private institute and they are offering me Dh7,000 with a designation as supervisor. The new company's owner and general manager say they will handle my case and told me not to worry about it. I am bit confused. How can I move to a new job? I have a degree and can pay costs. SS, Sharjah
Anyone who is on an unlimited contract can give notice to leave their job, usually 30 days, at any time but that does not mean there are no consequences. Under the UAE Labour Law anyone who resigns within two years of starting employment with a company, or within one year if they have a certain level of qualifications and salary, will receive an automatic employment ban of six months. As SS already has his residency visa and all other paperwork, if he leaves the current job now he will receive a six-month ban unless he is moving to another job in the same free zone which is not the case here. The only time that a ban like this can be waived is if an individual is moving to a government employer as they can get bans overturned if they choose to do so, but usually only for more senior staff.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 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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