Abu Dhabi: A man who went on annual leave to his home country had his work contract terminated by his new boss and was slapped with a ban from entering the country, his wife has alleged.
Sally Mathew, whose husband Thomas, an Indian, who worked for a government department in Abu Dhabi for more than 34 years, told Gulf News that the new management at her spouse's work place terminated his work contract and imposed a life ban while he was on annual leave, which is against the law.
Sally, who once lived in Abu Dhabi with her three children and husband, said a year ago her husband went to India on annual leave, but while on vacation some administrative changes took place in the office. The new director terminated the services of her husband and some other employees and put an entry ban on him for no reason. He could not return to the UAE or receive his end-of-employment benefits.
"I stayed alone in Abu Dhabi with my kids for some time. We were even asked to leave the accommodation given to us by my husband's employers. I did not know what to do or where to go. My husband was in India and could not return here," she said.
Threat
Sally alleged she tried to meet the new director, but he [the director] refused to see or to listen to her. "The director even threatened us that if we did not vacate the flat immediately, we would have to face the consequences," Sally said.
She said she reported the case to police and court. "The court ordered that I vacate the flat, which I did. I left Abu Dhabi for India as I had no job or place to stay," she said.
Mathew told Gulf News by phone from India that he did not receive his end-of-service benefits after he served for more than 34 years. "The court is deciding whether to lift the ban or to give me my end-of-service benefits," Mathew said. "This has put a lot of mental strain and financial tension on us."
He said the incident happened a year ago when he took his annual leave and went to India to see his ailing mother and to spend Christmas with his family.
"I had 60 days' leave approved by my work place. There was a sudden change in the management. The director was shifted, and another one took over," he said. "My case is still with the Public Prosecutor in Abu Dhabi. It is more than a year now. I have great respect for the legal system of the country and believe justice will be done to me," he said.
A Public Prosecution official said they are looking into his case, which they hope will be resolved soon.
