Termination of employment

A reader from Dubai asks: I was working in Jebel Ali Industrial Area for the past two years as a quality control executive. Due to recession, company has terminated my services on December 31, 2008. I am on my husband's visa. In this case will cancellation of the labour card give me a work ban though I can stay here? Also my company will give me a no objection letter only on ensuring that I am not joining a competitor. Will the status of termination affect government records in any of my future employment? If I don't take up a new job immediately but wait for a few months, will I still need a NOC from the previous employer? What if I get a job in a free zone?

There is no violation to the Labour Law, the questioner will not be subjected to any kind of ban, as the questioner is working through the husband's sponsorship, and in this case, she may move to any other company without the need for a no objection certificate from the company. I would like to clarify further that any ban of the Ministry of Labour is not applicable to the free zone.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.