Giving passport to employer

[Andy Capp]

Now I know that under UAE law the employer cannot insist that they hold your passport - without your permission.

However my mate works for Sheik Qassimi's company in Sharjah, he's been told, in no uncertain terms, that they MUST have his passport for "safe keeping".

Failure to hand it in will mean he'll be sacked.

Any advice?

Elphy???

[Maz25]

Tricky one! My company is owned by a Sheikh as well but we all have our passports and if anything, the minute they have the visa stamped in the passport, you get an email to tell you to come and collect it from HR asap! They don't seem to want to hold on to it for a minute longer than they have to.

I can't really advise on what to do but really feel for your mate! Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place!

[jojo]

I'm not in Dubai so this probably will be a silly answer, but cant your friend organise another passport??? Claim he's lost it and get another one from the british embassy??? and then give one over and keep one???

Jo xxxx

[Gavtek]

I'd be looking for a new job if I were him.

[mayotom]

Originally Posted by jojo

I'm not in Dubai so this probably will be a silly answer, but cant your friend organise another passport??? Claim he's lost it and get another one from the british embassy??? and then give one over and keep one???

Jo xxxx

Sounds good, but that method is probably covered, because the British Embassy will require a police report to confirm that it has been Lost/Stolen. This will have to be done with the police in the UAE, as a passport is required to leave the country. The police are obliged to make enquiries as to where the passport could be. They will first notify DNRD(Immigration dept) who would notify all border exits of the stolen passport, then you are in a load of Crap. wasting police time, false statements etc..

so as for a solution, Who knows

[Midos]

What about when your mate wants to travel on a 2 days weekend holiday, will they give the passport back or they will simply ignore him ?
"safe keeping" is a joke, the real reason behind keeping the passport is to have control over the person.
I heard it is pretty common for labors in construction and others low payed jobs where employees tend to disappears after few months.
I had similar story 3 years ago, but it ended when I told them if they want my passport,they needs to get embassy approval first and never got bothered again.

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Andy Capp

Now I know that under UAE law the employer cannot insist that they hold your passport - without your permission.

However my mate works for Sheik Qassimi's company in Sharjah, he's been told, in no uncertain terms, that they MUST have his passport for "safe keeping".

Failure to hand it in will mean he'll be sacked.

Any advice?

Elphy???

As far as I am aware it is illegal for ANY company to retain a passport, by way of UAE law as well as international law. I suggest your friend gives the Ministry of Labour a call on their helpline number 800 665.

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[stewart]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

As far as I am aware it is illegal for ANY company to retain a passport, by way of UAE law as well as international law. I suggest your friend gives the Ministry of Labour a call on their helpline number 800 665.

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This might be true, but I am aware of so many companies that do this in the UAE.
Most companies operate on the system of swapping your Labour card for passport when the passport is required, and vica versa to get the labour card back.
If it is illegal then why is this system so common?
And why does the MOL not enforce it?

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by stewart

This might be true, but I am aware of so many companies that do this in the UAE.
Most companies operate on the system of swapping your Labour card for passport when the passport is required, and vica versa to get the labour card back.
If it is illegal then why is this system so common?
And why does the MOL not enforce it?

I am aware that many companies, not most, do this, but they are breaking the law. The MoL will take action if the issue is reported to them.

You are entitled to hold your own labour card as well as your passport and most companies do comply with that.
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[Andy Capp]

Cheers for the help, I've given him the number etc. I'll keep you posted - i reckon the GM (lebo) will back down, but let's see.

Whether Sheikh Q actually knows about this is another matter, my thoughts are that he doesn't.