Labour ban still making life tough for workers seeking to change jobs in UAE

Ministry consultant says new rules apply to companies that have closed down or no longer exist
Dubai: Workers have complained that the Ministry of Labour is still asking for approval from sponsors if workers wish to change jobs after two years.

Affected workers pointed to the ministry's earlier reforms to the labour law which did away with the need for a sponsor's approval for employees who have been with their sponsors for two continuous years. The workers complained that they were being slapped with one-year ban for failing to secure such approval.

The labour rules, which were implemented early this year by the Ministry of Labour, allow workers to switch jobs at the end of their employment contracts without the need for a no-objection certificate.

However, Hussain Hussain, a legal consultant at the Ministry of Labour clarified the new rules and said expatriate workers would still receive a one-year ban if they failed to get their sponsor's consent before changing employment.

"No one is allowed to switch jobs even if they complete many years in their [current job], without the consent of their sponsor," Hussain said.

He also said the new law allows workers to change employment in cases such as when the company employing them has closed down and no longer exists.

"But those workers will be given one-year ban if they do not file a complaint at the Ministry in less than two months after the [closure] of their company."

Ahmad Tajul Deen an Indian, employed in Dubai said he been with the same company for six years before the manager fled the country.
"My colleagues and I went to complain at the ministry after we lost hope that the manager would come back," he said.
"That happened three months [after the manager] left the country. The ministry stamped a one-year ban on each worker in the company."
Ameer, an Afghani PRO for a company in Sharjah, said that he went to apply for a visa for a new employee for his company.
Proof of cancellation

"I was told that the approval of the previous employer is required and the previous employer should show at the ministry that the visa has been cancelled, otherwise a one-year ban will be [slapped on] the worker," he said.

He said the ministry had not changed any rules and added that workers still needed approval of the sponsor to change jobs.


    January 1, 2011: New rules allow expatriate workers to seek new employment without a no-objection certificate
    The worker should have served out a two-year contract with the company.
    A worker with an expired contract can obtain a new work permit and shift to another employer without the passing of the six-month period and consent of his sponsor.
    The resolution says new employment permit will only be granted to the worker after the end of his work relationship amicably with his employer.

Dubai to enforce Dh50, 000 fines to end menace of illegal maids- Maids convicted first time deported for a year; Repeat offenders will get jail

Domestic help must be sponsored by their recruiters, according to a top DNRD (Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai) official.

Similarly, employers hiring workers who are not on their sponsorships will face Dh50,000 fine, he added.

Judge Ali Humaid bin Khatam, Head, Court of Naturalisation and Residency, said at least 70 per cent cases pending with the departments prosecution involves those of housemaids.

Some of them are also believed to have entered the country illegally and a few others have been overstaying their visa periods.

Out of the 3,478 defendants brought to trial between June and October this year, 2,434 were housemaids. About 1,217 people are on trail for recruiting 'absconding maids', said Bin Khatam.

First-time offenders including absconders will be fined and deported for a year after serving their jail terms. They can return to seek work in the emirate. However, repeated offenders will be permanently deported from the country and can return only with a special permission from the Ministry of Interior.

Citing cases that appeared before the prosecution, Bin Khatam said one case involved an Arab woman who allegedly accused her maid of stealing. Investigations revealed she had hired the help illegally and that she was not under her sponsorship. Therefore, if convicted, the Arab woman would be fined Dh50,000 while the maid would be deported after serving jail term.

Similarly a European was fined Dh50,000 for recruiting an 'illegal' maid who inturn was impriosoned for one month and later deported, he added.

However, there are also cases wherein househelps are exploited by their owners.

Balcony barbecue’ fine fixed at Dh500 --Trakhees Commences Campaign for Misuse of Balconies and Damage to Buildings Facades

Trakhees Community Conformance Division (CCD), Department of Planning & Development – aims to maintain the aesthetic appearance of residential compounds in particular and of Dubai in general. To ensure the commitment of residents in adhering to the rules and regulations applicable within its jurisdiction, CCD has undertaken a comprehensive community-based awareness campaign among all users of these complexes which includes a range of awareness-raising posters and brochures in five languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Chinese, all containing the following instructions: 

• - Do not install satellite dishes on the facades of buildings and balconies
• - Do not use balconies as places of storage for any purpose other than seasonal furniture
• - Do not shake or hang sheets, clothes or curtains or rugs or mops or laundry on balconies or railings of homes
• - Do not light barbecues on balconies of apartments

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness in all segments of society, among residents or visitors of these complexes by reaching them in their place of residence. The outcome will be to preserve upscale appearance, which is characteristic of the Emirate of Dubai by reducing the off-putting appearances which adversely impact the overall aesthetics. The fine for misusing your balcony or damaging the façade of the building in Trakhees-supervised residential communities will be Dh500 per offence.

In a statement the authority said initially officers would be warning residents not to misuse their balconies, set up barbecues, or fix any satellite dishes, and those failing to follow the rules will be fined Dh500.

Areas under Trakhees’ supervision, as per Degree No 22, includes, but not limited to Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Heights Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Lakes Tower, Jebel Ali Downtown, International City, Discovery Gardens.

Last week Community Conformance Division (CCD), Department of Planning & Development of Trakhees has informed residents not to fix satellite dishes on the facades or balconies of their buildings; not to use balconies as places of storage for any purpose other than seasonal furniture pieces; not to hang sheets, clothes or curtains or rugs or mops or laundry on balconies or railings of homes and not to have barbecues in their balconies.

Public and private sector to be closed from December 1-3

The Ministries and public institutions will close on Thursday, December 01, 2011, and resume on Sunday, December 4, according to the circular issued on Friday by Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

According to the circular, the Islamic New Hijri Year 1433 holiday has been moved to Thursday, December 1, as it coincides with the National Day holiday from December 2  to December 3, 2011.

Al Qattami congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Members of Supreme Council, Their Highnesses Rulers of emirates, UAE people, Arab and Muslim countries, on advent of the new Hijri Year and UAE National Day anniversary.

Holidays for private sector

Next Thursday,  December 1, 2011 will be a paid holiday for all workers of the UAE's private sector to mark the Islamic New Hijri Year 1433, the Ministry of Labour said in a statement.

The New Hijri year holiday was moved by the Ministry to next Thursday - December 1.

Next Saturday December 3, 2011 was also announced by the Ministry as a paid holiday for all workers of the UAE's private sector in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the UAE's National Day, according to the Ministry's statement.

The Ministry extended greetings and best wishes to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His HIghness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Members of Supreme Council, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the emirates, the UAE People and Arab and Muslim countries, on advent of the new Hijri Year and the occasion of the UAE national day.

Bank holiday

Banks will close their branches on Thursday, December 1, 2011, to mark the 40th anniversary of the UAE National Day as well as the New Islamic Hijri year, the Central Bank of the UAE announced in a notice.

"Banks are required to ensure that their ATMs are properly stocked with cash at all times," the Central Bank's notice said

"UAE Consumer Rights: Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 Replaces Old Rules"

UAE Consumer Rights: Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 and DET (2025 Update)

The original Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 has been repealed and replaced by Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection (amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023) and its Executive Regulations (Cabinet Decision No. 66 of 2023).

1. The Competent Authority (Dubai)

The "Department of Economic Development (DED)" is now part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Old Authority (Article)	Current Authority (2025)
Department of Economic Development (DED)	Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector handles consumer issues.

2. Key Updates and Changes to Rights

The core rights remain (safety, knowledge, choice, etc.), but the new law greatly enhances them:

Old Concept (2006 Law)	Current Legal Reality (2020 Law & 2023 Regs)
Scope: Mainland only.	Expanded Scope: Applies to all goods and services sold in the UAE, including Free Zones and e-commerce platforms registered in the UAE.
Privacy: Not explicitly covered.	Data Protection: Consumers have the explicit right to protection of their privacy and data security. Suppliers are prohibited from using consumer data for promotional/marketing purposes without consent.
Warranties/Remedies: Basic rights to repair/refund.	Enhanced Remedies: Suppliers must repair or replace a defective good/service without charge. The warranty period is extended for the time the product is under repair or delayed due to lack of spare parts.
Harmful Conditions: Not detailed.	Void Contracts: Any contract clause that harms the consumer, grants the supplier a unilateral right to terminate/amend the contract, or exempts the supplier from their legal obligations is null and void by law.
Pricing/Payment: General pricing rule.	Clear Pricing & No Hidden Fees: Suppliers cannot increase the price if the consumer pays by credit card (a major consumer-friendly change). All invoices must be in Arabic (other languages optional).
Penalties: Less stringent.	Strict Penalties: Misleading advertising can result in a fine of up to AED 2 million and/or imprisonment of up to two years.

3. Current Complaint Process (Dubai DET)

The process of talking to the retailer first remains mandatory, but the official channels are modernized:

Old Contact Details (Article)	Current Dubai DET Contact Channels (2025)
Call 'Ahlan Dubai': +971 600 545555	Unified DET Call Centre: 600 54 55 55 (Still the primary number)
Email: consumerrights@dubaided.gov.ae	Current Email: contactdet@dubaidet.ae
Digital Channel: Website/Personal Visit	Preferred Digital Submission: Submit complaints via the Dubai Consumer Rights website or WhatsApp Chat (08:00 - 20:00).
Resolution Time: Aim to resolve most complaints within 30 days.	Current Goal: Resolutions are often reached within 7 days for eligible complaints.

Crucial Advice for Consumers: Always ensure you have a dated, detailed invoice in Arabic (which can include another language) and that the product's condition (new, used, or repaired) is clearly stated.