Is UAE employee entitled to flight home after redundancy?

An Abu Dhabi worker asks Keren Bobker about repatriation flights.

I was made redundant early last month with 30 days' notice. My visa was cancelled last week and I am due to collect my passport from the company tomorrow. I was on an unlimited contract. I was wondering if I am still entitled to the repatriation flight home as per my contract or has this now expired as my visa has been cancelled? I am planning to leave the country as I have no other employment at this time. RM, Abu Dhabi

RM is definitively entitled to a flight paid for by their employer per UAE Labour Law, on the basis that RM is leaving the UAE. Article 131 of the law states: “Expenses for repatriation of an employee to his place of origin or any other place agreed upon by both parties shall be borne by the employer. If the employee after the end of his contract takes up employment somewhere else, repatriation expenses upon termination of his service shall be paid by the last employer subject to the provisions in the preceding clauses, and if the employer has failed to repatriate the employee and has not paid the repatriation expenses, the competent authorities shall do this at the employer’s expense by way of attachment. If the cause for termination of contract is attributed to the employee, his repatriation will be arranged at his own expense if he has the means to pay”. As RM did not leave employment of RM’s own accord and is leaving the UAE, RM’s employer is responsible for the cost of an economy class flight back to the home country, or elsewhere as agreed and at no further cost.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years’ experience. Contact her at [e-mail]. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE

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