DUBAI - The illegal practice of retaining employee passports is rampant throughout the United Arab Emirates, with some of the country’s biggest companies openly flouting the law, a Maktoob Business investigation has found.

Maktoob Business has spoken to dozens of expatriates working in the UAE whose companies require them to hand in their passports, leaving them unable to travel without permission and at the mercy of unscrupulous employers.

The government outlawed the practice in late 2002, but almost seven years later a significant number of companies, some with thousands of employees, continue to break the law.

“We hold passports of the staff ... that is a company rule,” said James Rodricks, a human resources executive at Dubai-based retailer Sharaf Trading, which has around 500 employees and operates stores such as Forever 21 and Woolworths.

“Yes it is (illegal), but there are many companies that are following this practice,” he added.

Among the worst offenders are companies in the real estate and hospitality sectors, with all employees Maktoob Business interviewed stating their companies kept their passports.

“We were all required to hand over our passports when we joined,” said a former employee of Dubai-owned Jumeirah Group, adding that the practice continues today. The employee agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

Jumeirah Group, which has a global workforce of around 11,000 and operates the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, said it retains passports for “security” and “efficiency” reasons, but maintained it is a recommendation and done with employees’ consent.

“We constantly review our operational procedures to ensure that we are fully in line with local regulations and to improve our colleagues’ working environment,” Tim Savage, chief human resources officer at Jumeirah Group, said in a statement.

INTERNATIONAL CONCERN

The UAE has come under heavy criticism from Western governments and rights groups in recent years for failing to protect workers’ rights, especially the thousands of construction labourers that have helped build the country out of the sand.

Human Rights Watch said in July workers face "severe exploitation and abuse" in a report on Abu Dhabi’s $27 billion Saadiyat Island development and called on the UAE government to enforce legislation designed to protect workers’ rights, including passport confiscation.

“Passport confiscation remains to be a serious problem in the UAE. We've recommended steps the government should take to end the practice but unfortunately not much progress has been seen,” said Samer Muscati at Human Rights Watch.

The Ministry of Labour did not reply to several requests for comment.

Many employees interviewed by Maktoob Business said they were not aware the practice is illegal when they came to the UAE and are now too afraid to ask for their passports back.

“I thought it (passport confiscation) was a policy of the UAE ... I didn’t know it was illegal,” said an employee at Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate NMC Group, which employs some 15,000 people.

“I would ask for my passport back, but I don’t want to get into trouble,” the employee, who asked not to be identified, added.

NMC Group did not reply to a request for comment.

Other employees said they do not want the expense and hassle of taking their employer to court.

Labourers make as little as 500 dirhams ($135) a month, while waiters and shop assistants make around 1,000-2,000 dirhams a month.

Musthafa Zafeer, founder and managing partner of Dubai-based law firm Musthafa & Almana, said a passport confiscation case costs between 5,000 dirhams ($1,360) and 10,000 dirhams, but described it as a “simple case”.

“A passport is the property of its holder and no one else has the right to take that away,” Zafeer said, adding that he represents about three cases a month involving people trying to get their passports back from current and former employers.

(Source Maktoob Business News)

Is it practiced in other contries also ?

Yes, happens all over the Gulf. Kuwaiti Pakistanis got the short end of the stick during 1991. They got stuck with no passports, while other more "privileged" nationalities left quickly. I don't recall Pakistani govt being too much help during that time.

But can't be that common in UAE can it be? Pakistanis are travelling all the time, out and about to other countries. Does your employer hold your passport?

Happens in Saudi all the time, in fact it's almost like standard practice.

@TDW

Yes My Employer confiscates my passport illegally like others do.
Which is really not fair.

As PCG said , it reflects their that mentality when Before Holy Prophet time , they were making people slaves.

Sara , Not to me , but some days before one of our senior staff member had to go on Emergency leave , he booked his flights but could not get his passport and missed the flight to Canada.
Now I am going on leave though local leave but I have requested for my passport be given to me, They will give to me after getting clearance as they did while my last year leave.

sounds totally fair to me.their country their law.app ko kia masla hai.app ko ziada hi takleef hoti hai naa jaoo waha apnay mulk may naukri kero.koi masla hi nahi hai.app ko koi dhekay sai thori waha bhaje raha hai.naukri bhi walate kerni hai or rona bhi rona.woh bohot acha kertay hai passport rekh kay.jab app nai koi do numbri nahi kerni to phir kia masla hai apna passport jama karatay huy.bohot takleef hoti hai apna passport jama karatay to nao jao waha.on ko shook nahi app ko apni dherti pay bulanay kaa.
app ko shook hai waha naukri kernay kaa or ziada paisay kamanay kaa.aik to wo app ki ziada paisay day opper say app kay nekhray seh.aisay thori hota hai bhai logo

Originally Posted by Umer

But these guys are breaking their own law. If you read the article thoroughly, you would see that the law does NOT allow companies to confiscate passports.

Besides: You don't seem to understand the issue here. The problem is not, that crooks might run away if companies don't take their passport. The problem is that you as employee are the mercy of your employer when you want to travel. Is that fair? I don't think so, so I'm really glad that I'm not in that situation.

sir if they are breaking their own law and you get offended by that then you have remedy in your hands.simple.dont go.who is compelling a person to go.no one.if one has such a high level of self respect and dignity then stay in your country get half the salary and thank Almighty Allah for that.Ya to koi app ko zabardasti ous stage say guzar raha ho to baat bhi hoo.jab app ki Pakistan mai pata hai kai app kay sath yeh hona hai or app ko bohot afsoos ho gaa kay unho nai app ka passport rekh lia hai to app naa jai.
yeh to zid wali baat hui kay app nai un sai salary bhi double leni hai phit app nai apna passport bhi apnay pass rekhna hai.app ko achi tera pata hai kay wo passport kio confiscate kertay hai!

Originally Posted by Umer

Honestly speaking I am quite surprised that is still so common in the UAE. I always thought that it's a thing of the past. Among the people I know personally, I have not heard about anyone who does not hold his/her own passport.

Entisar, you're the first person in my knowledge who's passport is held by his company. I'm assuming it's only local Emirati companies who do that and not MNCs. Most of the people I know, do work for MNCs. That's why I might not have been aware of this practice still being so widespread.

Ya , you are right it is Local Based Company engaged for Govt Jobs in Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Mainly.

Plus , it would sound strange to ask some one do your company retains your passport unless the subject is in discussion , that is why you didnot know this is rampant still like the Report tells.

Originally Posted by blunt

sounds totally fair to me.their country their law.app ko kia masla hai.app ko ziada hi takleef hoti hai naa jaoo waha apnay mulk may naukri kero.koi masla hi nahi hai.app ko koi dhekay sai thori waha bhaje raha hai.naukri bhi walate kerni hai or rona bhi rona.woh bohot acha kertay hai passport rekh kay.jab app nai koi do numbri nahi kerni to phir kia masla hai apna passport jama karatay huy.bohot takleef hoti hai apna passport jama karatay to nao jao waha.on ko shook nahi app ko apni dherti pay bulanay kaa.
app ko shook hai waha naukri kernay kaa or ziada paisay kamanay kaa.aik to wo app ki ziada paisay day opper say app kay nekhray seh.aisay thori hota hai bhai logo

You sounds right , but needs very minor correction.
If they are voileting their own laws , let them do it like doing in some cases not in major cases.
We shall cry for the one that relates to us and they have made for us.

Originally Posted by Arleitter

I have heard in low profile jobs,this system is quite common.

Should be updated now after reading the News report.

Does UAE have exit permits?

Originally Posted by Umer

Honestly speaking I am quite surprised that is still so common in the UAE. I always thought that it's a thing of the past. Among the people I know personally, I have not heard about anyone who does not hold his/her own passport.

Entisar, you're the first person in my knowledge who's passport is held by his company. I'm assuming it's only local Emirati companies who do that and not MNCs. Most of the people I know, do work for MNCs. That's why I might not have been aware of this practice still being so widespread.

His Hara passport vs your EU country passport.

Can you leave anytime you want?