UAE rules on repatriation the same whether employee is on probation or not

If in case the employee is made redundant but then takes another job, the responsibility for repatriation passes to the next employer, and so on.

If an employee has their contract terminated during the probation period, how does this affect the repatriation ticket from the UAE? Is the employer still liable to pay the repatriation costs? AP, Dubai

The rules regarding repatriation are the same no matter if an employee is on probation or not. Article 131 of UAE Labour Law states that: “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”. The responsibility is with an employee’s final employer in the UAE. If in this case the employee is made redundant but then takes another job, the responsibility for repatriation passes to the next employer, and so on.

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.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only.

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