Job Discussion Forums

Smiley07 · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 7

HI,
Im hoping somone can help me as Im very confused. I am currently teaching and my contract is finished in August. If I want to renew it I can but I have decided to go work in another school next year.

Now I was of the opinion that what I was doing was perfectly okay. I will have fulfilled my contract and I am not leaving early. I have been told however that as soon as my current school finds out that I hope to work in another school they will put the ban on me. I have a friend who was in this situation and they put a ban on her.. Is this allowed?

I was also just thinking of telling my current school that I am returning home for good as I know they wont exaclty be happy with me leaving to go to another school..Then returning to the new school in August.

What do people think?

carlen · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 172 Location: UAE

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

The ban rule regarding teachers was removed last year. But a good idea to keep what you're doing to yourself for the sake of peace.

Sunburnt Individual · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 91

But look further down the page:

(d) The employee has obtained the consent of the sponsor to transfer his sponsorship to the new employer.

This is the "letter of no objection." If you have this, you'll be fine. The employer isn't taking any action to ban you. You're automatically banned unless you get the letter of no objection.

carlen · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 172 Location: UAE

Smiley07 · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 7

There is no way that my current school will give me a letter of no objection. ...It is school policy.

I still don't understand why I need one. I will have fulfilled my contract. It it a one near renewable contract which I have done for 3 years. When I leave the country would it not be a case of my visa being cancelled then a new visa issued when I returned in August with another school? Am I being total simple...

Argh now Im so confused. I really wanted to move to this new school and they didn't mention any word of this. Should they not be aware that this may be an issue?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Perhaps you could put in a question to the Ask the Law column in the Gulf News.

In the past, it was always teachers at the tertiary level were not subject to an automatic ban but those at primary and secorndary level could be.

Would putting in an inquiry to the MoE (dare I ask) be feasible?

carlen · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 172 Location: UAE

boxcarwilly · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 85

If you have completed 3 years of service in the Emirates, you do not need a no objection letter to work for another school and that's a fact. Verify this of course with the Misinstry of Labor but you will discover that you don't need one.

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

Would it save time (six month ban) and stress of hassling to just return next year to the new job with a new passport?

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

GlobalDawg, I was wondering the same thing, but does it need to come to that? I know that's how people got around the rule when the ban was definitely in place, but if a visa is cancelled on completion of a Contract and the Labor Contract expired, doesn't that just mean coming back in on an employment visa with the new employer.

I think the Ministry of Labor needs to be contacted on this one because te UAE is desperate for teachers at all levels and it doesn't make any sense to think they'd prevent people from changing employment at a contract's end or expiration.

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

You would think that it shouldn't have to come to that, Zoot. But, I've learned that sometimes leaving a job the right way in the Middle East can be a difficult task. Last year, I completed five years with a university in Saudi and followed the specified procedure for resigning. I gave notice two months prior to the end of the semester and the remainder of my time there was very uncomfortable. People stopped talking to me and the administration threatened not to give me the end of service award. During finals I received an official letter indicating that my services were no longer desired. In the end, I did receive a letter of no object, a letter of recommendation and the service award but in the interim the experience was very unpleasant.

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

You would think that it shouldn't have to come to that, Zoot. But, I've learned that sometimes leaving a job the right way in the Middle East can be a difficult task. Last year, I completed five years with a university in Saudi and followed the specified procedure for resigning. I gave notice two months prior to the end of the semester and the remainder of my time there was very uncomfortable. People stopped talking to me and the administration threatened not to give me the end of service award. During finals I received an official letter indicating that my services were no longer desired. In the end, I did receive a letter of no object, a letter of recommendation and the service award but in the interim the experience was very unpleasant.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

and the last time I entered the UAE on a work visa I had a retina scan (my employer was hct) So how does that affect entering on a new passport?

Zoot · Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 408

My guess is, it will make a huge difference. The name is now the recognized identity not the passport as was once the case. I meant the way things used to be. Still, it does make you wonder if the UAE actually wants to keep those teachers who move away from their families and security to be here or not, doesn't it?