I was working for a free zone company and resigned some days ago during my probationary period. I have worked for four months of the six-month probationary period. Now they are demanding visa and other expenses from me for which I have signed no such contract. Please guide me in this regard because they are calling me again and again and won't give me cancellation unless I pay them. SAZ, Dubai
No employer is permitted to reclaim their costs in recruiting and employing any employee so SAZ is not obliged to make any payment to this company for them to cancel the residency visa. This was set out in Ministerial Order 52 of 1989, Article 6 which makes it clear that all expenses incurred in taking on an employee must be borne by the employer and cannot be passed on. This applies even if an employer has asked an employee to sign paperwork to that effect as that would contravene UAE law.
I recommend that SAZ contacts the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (formerly the Ministry of Labour) on its helpline, 800 665, or goes to his local labour office to register a case against the company as not only are they not permitted to demand reimbursement of their costs, they are also not permitted to refuse to cancel a visa for a departing employee.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only.
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On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE
Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Fixtures
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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