My company insists on holding my passport while I work for it. The policy is being enforced for all employees, other than top management. Being a citizen of Germany, what options do I have? I have basically been told by my boss that if I don't give up my passport, I will be let go. Whenever I need my passport, I have to fill out a "passport release form", which is quite humiliating since I basically have to tell them why I need MY passport. Without losing my job, what other option is there? MB, Abu Dhabi
Personal Finance On Your Side
The National's consumer advocate, Keren Bobker, answers your questions on legal and financial matters in the UAE and beyond.
More from Personal Finance
It is illegal for an employer to insist on retaining an employee's passport. A passport is the property of the government that issues it. In this case, it is the property of the German government. In the UAE, you must give your passport to your employer to get the residency visa stamped in it, but afterwards the employer should return it promptly, particularly because many passports state that it should not be handed to an unauthorised body. In this context, an employer falls into that category. There are two things that you can do. Firstly, you can contact the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi. I would not expect it to take action based on an individual complaint, but if all German nationals who have the same problem contact their embassy, it may then try to assist. You can also file a case with the Ministry of Labour, which will agree that the retention of an employee's passport is illegal. The ministry would then contact the company to advise it that it should release any passport for an employee's safekeeping. The ministry's helpline is 800 665.
On October 13, I moved from a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina to a two-bedroom apartment also in Dubai Marina, literally a two-minute journey away. I found a company online called In Touch Shipping & Forwarding and decided to go with it as they were available on short notice. They also offered me a good price based on the distance from one apartment to the other and the number of things to move. But I had a series of problems with these guys. The main issues included: a bag of new clothes worth Dh1,100 disappeared and a Dh600 black dress was damaged after one of the movers spilt bleach and touched the dress with his hands. When they apologised, he admitted to the damage. A six-speaker set for my PC, which cost Dh759, also arrived damaged. In addition, various food items that we had imported were eaten without permission and they also helped themselves to drinks without even bothering to ask. There were other issues, such as leaving our belongings outside unattended and various household items, like soaps and shampoos, were not delivered to the new apartment until I asked where they were. After I paid, they immediately left and I wasn't even offered my change back. We had to have furniture cleaned because they stood on fabric-covered chairs with dirty feet and lost various fixings, so I am less than happy. I have contacted the company several times to complain, but they will not talk to me. BL, Dubai
I contacted In Touch Shipping & Forwarding in regard to this issue. It disputed BL's version of events. The company also said it had resolved the issue with BL, which is not the case. The company went on to say that it would visit him the next day to discuss the matter and try to resolve it, but no representative turned up. BL has not received any further communication from In Touch, despite our efforts to contact it.
I have worked for my employer since February 19, 2007, and, according to my contract, I have a two-month notice period. If I were to resign at the end of December this year and work my full two-month notice period, how would my gratuity be calculated? Would my annual bonus be included? DW, Dubai
Employees are entitled to receive a full gratuity payment based on the total period of service, from the start date to the end of their notice period. In accordance with UAE Labour Law, Article 132, any "employee who has completed one year or more in continuous service is entitled to the end-of-service remuneration at the end of his service". If the period of service is less than five years, the standard calculation is 21 days of pay for each year of service. This increases to 30 days for each additional year. Because DW will have completed more than five years of service by the time his notice period is reached, there will be no reduction in the end-of-service gratuity. For these calculations, the full period of employment is used, including the notice period. DW is entitled to 21 days of pay for each year of the full five years , calculated pro-rata for partial years, plus an extra amount for an additional nine days. His entitlement is 105.75 days for the final salary. This does not include allowances, but should include any commission or bonuses that are a regular feature of his salary. If a bonus is paid on an annual basis only, this becomes something of a grey area and unless it has been paid for several years and is documented in the employment contract, it is unlikely to be regarded as a regular payment and not included in a gratuity calculation.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com or onyourside@thenational.ae
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SRI LANKA SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
