Labour Law
What it is: Arbitrary dismissal is termination of an employee for an unjustified reason or in breach of the required process. Under the UAE Labour Law, an employee dismissed arbitrarily may be entitled to compensation, in addition to end-of-service and notice entitlements. Rules differ for onshore employers and those in DIFC or ADGM free zones. When it applies: Claims arise when an employee is dismissed without a valid work-related reason, in retaliation for a legitimate complaint, or without proper notice and process. How a lawyer helps: A lawyer reviews the employment contract, dismissal reasons and documentation, determines whether the termination was lawful, and quantifies compensation and entitlements. The lawyer files or defends a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation or the relevant free-zone authority, and represents you in the labour courts or tribunals. First steps: Keep your contract, offer letter, payslips, termination notice and correspondence, note key dates and deadlines, and consult a lawyer quickly because labour claims are time-sensitive. Early advice helps preserve entitlements and evidence. This is general information, not legal advice for a specific case.
