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    COVID-19: Can my employer fire me when I am stuck outside the UAE?

    Living In UAE

    • Visa+Immigration
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    Reader complaint

    COVID-19: Can my employer fire me when I am stuck outside the UAE?

    These are your rights as an employee when you are unable to return to work


    Published:  August 13, 2020 17:00 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor
    Follow us

    1 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Can you get fired from your UAE job if you are stuck outside the country due to COVID-19? Image Credit: Stock image
    2 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    A Gulf News reader received his letter of termination while he was still stuck outside the country. Image Credit: Stock image
    3 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    The reader had travelled for his annual vacation. Image Credit: Stock image
    4 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    A month after rejoining his assignment - through the remote working option - his employment was terminated. Image Credit: Stock image
    5 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    The reader also did not receive his housing allowance in his end-of-service benefits, which were provided to other employees that were laid off. Image Credit: Stock image
    6 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    7 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE
    Reda Hegazy, Senior Legal Advisor and Arbitrator at Al Suwaidi & Company explained the UAE's labour laws governing such cases. Image Credit:
    8 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    9 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Is not being able to return to the country due to border closure a legitimate grounds for dismissal? Image Credit: Stock image
    10 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    No. Image Credit: Stock image
    11 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    An employer in the UAE cannot terminate you while you are on leave. Image Credit: Stock image
    12 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    However, if you fail to resume work, that can be grounds for dismissal. Image Credit: Stock image
    13 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Article 120 of the UAE Labour law governs such behaviour. Image Credit: Stock image
    14 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Are you justified in not returning to the office because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19? Image Credit: Stock image
    15 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Yes. Image Credit: Stock image
    16 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    However, you may not get paid your salary if you fail to rejoin your work. Image Credit: Stock image
    17 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Article 89 of the UAE Labour Law Image Credit: Stock image
    18 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    19 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Article 132 of the UAE Labour Law Image Credit: Stock image
    20 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    21 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    22 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    If you start another job, you will not be entitled to any salary from your previous employer during that period. Image Credit: Stock image
    23 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    24 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    25 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Firing someone because they are unable to return to the UAE due to COVID-19 is not allowed. Image Credit: Stock image
    26 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    27 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    28 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Housing allowance is not included in end-of-service benefits calculations according to the UAE Labour Law. Read more here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1597323244315 Image Credit: Stock image
    29 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    30 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    However, if your employment contract or the company policy expressly states that you would get your housing allowance as part of your final settlement, you are entitled to it. Image Credit: Stock image
    31 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
    32 of 32
    Fired for not being able to return to the UAE due to COVID-19
    Image Credit: Stock image
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