YET Another HAPPY NEWS For Filipinos! NEW LAW For PINOY EXPATS In UAE!

The placement agent has to repay all fees if the contract is revoked of the worker’s own will, because of the worker or because agreed terms of the employment contract are not honored.

But a worker shall not be put on probation more than once in the service of any employer, unless the two parties agree to engage the worker in a different job.

To address abusive practices in respect of payment of wages, the law lays down a number of principles with regard to the protection of remuneration.

Salary protection and Deduction:
Remuneration, which has to be communicated to the worker and agreed by him or her before travelling to the UAE, has to be paid no later than the 10th of the following month and a receipt is signed upon every payment. The Ministry of Human Resources may set any more suitable wage protection system. No amount of money may be deducted from a worker’s salary or end-of-service gratuity except for a debt payable in execution of a court ruling or repair of any damage caused by the worker, provided that the deduction shall not exceed a quarter of the worker’s salary. If a dispute arises, it has to be settled by the special tribunals at the Ministry of Human resources or be referred to the court.

Weekly Day Off:
A weekly day off with full pay will be given to worker, Where circumstances require an employee to work on this day, he or she will be granted a day in lieu or receive its payment. The regulations will set out working hours and
rest breaks for every type of job.

Paid Annual Leave:
A paid annual leave of 30 days is fixed, if a worker’s service is less than a year but more than six months, the leave will be counted on the basis of two days for every month. The employer can set the date of the annual leave and, if necessary, divide it into not more than two leave periods.

Return Air Ticket:
The annual leave can be carried forward to the following year and the employer has to grant a return ticket to the worker to travel home every two years. Payment for the annual leave and the travel allowance can be paid in cash to the worker who opts not to travel home.

Sick Leave:
All domestic workers shall enjoy sick leave of up to 30 days a year and this leave shall be calculated with full pay for the first 15 days while the next 15 days will be without pay.

Employment conditions:
Effective protection against all forms of abuse, harassment and violence, and workers should also be provided with decent living conditions that respect their privacy.

The right to revoke the contract on one’s own if the employer fails to honor his or her duties.

Duties of the employer shall include all terms and conditions as set out in the contract in addition to ensuring the work environment, tools and equipment are safe for the workers, who shall also be provided with proper accommodation, clothing and food, medical care, good treatment, respect and dignity, and physical safety.

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