May 19, 2012

UAE labour law change

OfficeWorkersGroup

Expat labourers in the UAE will no longer require a no-objections certificate (NOC) to renew visas and change jobs, following a change in visa renewal laws.

At present, foreign workers in the UAE leaving their existing job within two years – due to a breach of their employment terms or a dismissal –  are unable to seek new employment for a six month period unless they hold an NOC issued by their previous employer.

“The labour and immigration authorities have made a series of announcements regarding bans, so there is a clear policy decision to tighten up on this issue,” Stuart Walker of Dubai’s Afridi and Angell law office in Dubai told Reuters.

In the past, many foreign workers without the NOC relocated to Dubai, where expats previously employed by the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC) could be recruited, even if they did not possess the certificate.

However, in late May, DIFC announced the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai (DNRD) will no longer be granting work visas to such expats.

The new rules come after private sector labour regulations were revealed stating workers with long experience who are not in careers which could endanger lives can shift to a new employer without getting a job ban even if they do not possess the educational qualifications required in the exempted categories, authorities have said.

  • http://www.aawqatar.com stella anthony

    SUBJECT: UAE LABOUR LAW CHANGE.

    IS VERY GOOD – VERY SENSIBLE – MILLIONS OF LABOURS MUST BE VERY HAPPY & GIVEN LOTS OF BLESSINGS TO UAE MINISTERIES APPROVING THIS LAW. I HOPE SUCH LAW SHOULD MUST ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED IN QATAR. THE GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO GIVE A THOUGHT TO WOMENS REGARDING THEIR WORKING HOURS. ONLY WOMENS WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS ENJOY BUT WHAT ABOUT THE WOMENS DOING 2 SHIFTS – EVEN IF THEY ALSO HAVE 1 SHIFT 8-5PM. THEY CAN GO BACK HOME BE WITH THEIR FAMILY & TAKE THEIR CHILDRENS STUDIES.

  • Waqar

    I congratulate the UAE govt for such a bravery step.I hope and wish other gulf countries should also take positive step .

  • MANSOOR

    THIS IS OFCOURSE A NEW STEP.
    WHAT ABOUT THE END OF SERVICE BENEFITS?
    HEARD THERE WAS A COURT RULING THAT WILL ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO GET IT BASED ON TOTAL SALARY NOT ONLY THE BASICS.
    IS IT PART OF THE LABOUR LAW?
    ANY CLARIFICATIONS ?

  • Rahim

    Already in Saudi it is there