Will I receive a UAE employment ban after being made redundant?

I started a new job in the UAE last August and everything was going well. Then in the middle of December, the company told me I had to leave because of cutbacks in the department. So I started looking for a new job and I will finally start in about two weeks. The owner of the company told me that if I find something that better fits my experience I can leave. Is there any problem with the Ministry of Labour if I change jobs? I have also read that there can be a ban on people if they were changing jobs before completing six months with the same employer, and that they had to leave the Emirates for six months before they can return. I have asked several recruiters but some of them do not know and others have told me there has not been any bans since January of 2011. Can you confirm please? EM, Abu Dhabi

Employees are liable to receive an employment ban if they leave of their own accord with less than either one or two years with an employer depending on their level of education qualification and salary. A person can only leave ban free if they move job within the same free zone, as the free zone itself is the sponsor, not the employing company. If, as it appears in this case, the employee is being made redundant, there is no employment ban and the individual is free to move to another job. As a side note, I would expect recruiters to have at least a vague understanding of UAE employment laws.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 20 years of 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. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate independent legal advice.

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