Time off not given

Time off not given

A reader in Sharjah asks: Through not addressing a severe staff shortage my employer is denying time off to some staff. The employees are powerless to approach the Ministry of Labour although this practice contravenes the Federal Labour Law, not to mention the laws of every civilised country in the world. What can be done to force the employer to comply with the law?

As per Article 69,70,71 and 72 of the UAE Labour Law, daily overtime should not exceed two hours a day which should in all cases be paid, such time can be extended in unusual circumstances only, provided that Fridays are weekly days off. However, the employee shall not work for two consecutive Fridays. This rule has an exception as any worker who works on a daily basis, such as in hotels, and restaurants, are regulated by the Ministry of Labour due to the nature of each profession. The questioner is advised to file a complaint before the Ministry of Labour in this respect.

Question answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahr Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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