A reader from Dubai asks: I am working in Media City (Free Zone). I want to ask you whether my company, which comes under the free zone, have the authority to hold my passport or not? As my company is holding the passport, do I have the rights to ask for it back? What are the rules and regulations on the issue?
I would like to clarify to the questioner that the Labour Law does not allow any employer (whether a company in the Free Zone or not) to retain the passport of the worker, as it belongs to the bearer. Besides, the Ministry of Interior recently has issued a circular stating that the employer may not retain the worker's passport for any reason. Therefore, the questioner shall ask the employer to return his passport amicably. If the employer refuses, he should file a complaint before the Ministry of Labour or the competent court about the issue.
Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.
