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Can my employer terminate me without giving a reason in the UAE?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 26, 2026·1 answers
An employee was let go without explanation and wants to know whether UAE law requires a valid reason for termination.

This answer is AI-generated and editorially reviewed. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 26, 2026
Under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), an employer ending a contract must do so for a legitimate, work-related reason and must serve the agreed written notice of between 30 and 90 days (or pay in lieu). Termination is not meant to be arbitrary: dismissing a worker for an invalid reason — or in retaliation for the worker filing a lawful complaint or pursuing a legitimate claim — can be treated as unlawful and expose the employer to compensation assessed by the court, capped at up to three months' wage, on top of notice pay and other dues. That said, the law does allow termination for genuine reasons connected to the work or the business. If you were dismissed with no explanation, ask for the reason in writing and keep your contract, payslips and any letter. You retain your end-of-service gratuity regardless of the reason. To challenge a termination you believe was without valid grounds, file with MOHRE first; you can also compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to assess whether your dismissal was lawful.
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