|
A reader in Dubai asks: I read with interest your answer on 'End of service benefits' regardless of the company. In April 2007 I completed three years with one of the sports federations in the UAE. My contract had no fixed term. The federation refused to pay any end of service benefits (and still owes me Dh20,000 incurred with their permission on their behalf) stating that "you come under a special overseas award and do not qualify for employment contract benefits". I have taken the following steps without success: I have tried to ascertain legal advice but no one wants to take my case as they say it will be too expensive and would cost me more than I owe the federation. I went to the General Authority of Youth Welfare and Culture only to be referred back to the federation. I also went to the Ministry of Labour but they said since I did not have a labour card (as I was a federal employee) they could not help either. It seems that as a sports coach employed from overseas, I have no rights. Can you help me?
The questioner is entitled to end of service benefits in spite of the refusal of the federation for reasons that seem to me illegal.
Every employee in the UAE, whether in the private sector or government, has full rights to obtain gratuity. We advise the reader to know whether his department is under the Ministry of Labour or it is under the law of Civil Service. As long as the Ministry of Labour did not consider the questioner's complaint, I believe that his department falls under Civil Service laws. The questioner may ask the concerned court to consider his complaint against his department and I am sure he will get his full rights.
Questions answered by advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.
|
