Living In UAE

Reader complaint

COVID-19: I lost a job offer because my employer failed to cancel my visa on time. What are my rights?

UAE Labour Law provides options for employees to cancel visa if employer fails to do so

Published: September 07, 2020 10:27 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

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I lost a job offer because of my former employer. — Delay in cancelling an employment visa cost a Gulf News reader their job. Image Credit: Stock image

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Lost first job because of COVID-19 — The reader had recently come to the UAE and had been working for a company for almost a year. Image Credit: Stock image

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She got a second job offer two days after being let go of the first company — Even after getting a job offer quickly, the reader was not able to land the job as the visa had not yet been cancelled by the former employer. Image Credit: Stock image

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The reader's visa was cancelled on the day she was let go of by the second company — The reader lost the job opportunity because the visa was not cancelled. Image Credit: Stock image

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Who is responsible for the reader losing a job? — Who is to be blamed for the lost job opportunity? Image Credit: Stock image

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Reader upset with the bad experience — Image Credit: Stock image

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Gulf News raised the issue with Jihene Arfaoui, Legal Researcher at Al Suwaidi and Company, advocates and legal consultants on who is liable in such situations — Who is liable? Image Credit: Supplied

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UAE Labour Law provides several options to employees in such situations. — What can you do in such situations? Image Credit: Stock image

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As per the UAE Labour law the employee can ask the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for a work permit for six months — Six-month work permit from MOHRE Image Credit: Stock image

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As per the UAE Labour law the employee can ask the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) for a work permit for six months — Read more about how you can apply for the temporary six-month work permit here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1588166361071 Image Credit: Stock image

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Cancel visa through Twa-fouq — You can also get your visa cancelled through Twa-fouq centres. Image Credit: Stock image

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The centre investigates the complaints and provides recommendations to MOHRE for approval and to take a decision on the dispute resolution or refers the case to the judiciary. — You can raise your complaints with the Twa-fouq centres, which are registered with MOHRE. Image Credit:

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submitting the new offer letter along with the termination letter from the previous employer — How to request for visa cancellation with MOHRE. Image Credit: Stock image

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Can I file a case against my former employer? — Employees have been provided various legal options to address their concerns with the relevant authorities. Image Credit:

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… including compulsory Tawjeeh courses for new employees, which educate them about their rights according to the UAE Labour Law. — Read more about this compulsory course for UAE employees here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1577792593922 Image Credit: Stock image

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The reason is not really strong to file a case because you have other options, you can get the visa cancelled by yourself, through Twa-fouq centres, if your first company fails to do so. — The reader has legal alternatives to resolve their issue, laid out in the UAE Labour Law. Image Credit: Stock image

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However, if you have pending dues that have not yet been settled by the first employer, you can file a complaint with MOHRE within one year of your termination. — Image Credit: Stock image

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and if a settlement is not reached, the issue will be sent to the Labour Court — Image Credit: Stock image

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