UAE legal Q&As: My boss doesn’t pay me on time, what can I do?

I’ve been working with my employer for almost a year now and he does not give me my salary on time. At first, the delay was only five days but in these past three months it’s been getting worse. Last month it was 14 days late and not even the whole amount. He said the rest would be paid in one week but, to my dismay, it took longer. Already this month it is eight days late but my employer has said nothing. What can I do? I don’t want to talk to him because he will get mad. We don’t have an HR department. Our salary is paid only by cash. Also my employer did not give us medical insurance, only life insurance. I don’t have a copy of my contract so I don’t remember if it says only life insurance cover but the offer letter I signed said that I would have medical cover. Isn’t it my right to have a copy of my contract? Please advise as I don’t want to quit the job for fear of a labour ban.

Yes, you have the right to possess an original copy of your employment contract, as well as your labour ID. You should approach the labour office and apply for a “True” copy of your contract (if your employer refuses to give you one). With regards your salary, you should send a written letter and email to your employer stating that you wish to claim the full amount owed up to date. If there is no response, then you should apply to the labour office to claim the money due and this cannot result in a labour ban. As mandatory health insurance legislation is in its infancy, it is unlikely a small company such as yours will be obliged to provide health insurance, so that is a matter you will just have to deal with.

I was involved in a car accident with a rental car. No other vehicle was involved and there were no damages to the surrounding area. I got a police report and went to the hospital for a check-up but I was fine. As per the terms of the car rental, which was in Arabic, I had to pay 20 per cent of the value of the car. The vehicle, which had fully comprehensive insurance, was assessed and deemed not roadworthy. I was informed I had to pay an exorbitant amount of money. I felt I had no choice but to pay the rental company the money but I am asking this question so other drivers can benefit from your advice. Is this legal?

It seems that you are the party at fault in this case and so all the terms you mention (which you had accepted, even if it was in Arabic) are applicable. With this in mind, I would advise other rental car drivers to first read carefully the terms of the contract and, if the contract is written in Arabic, ask the rental company for a copy in English, or whatever language is best suited. I would also advise all drivers to obey the rules of the road and drive safely.

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