When an employment contract ends, completing the notice period is a given. Most people know about the standard notice periods, but Article 45 UAE labour law offers workers the right to immediately exit. Because what if you have been assaulted or made to work in unsafe conditions, or if your employment contract has been breached? In a workplace that’s not safe to return to, going through a month-long notice period puts a lot of strain on an employee.
If your employer has crossed a serious legal line, this law allows you to walk away from your job without being forced to stay 30 days more as part of your notice period or pay penalties for not doing so. In UAE, Article 45 of the labour law empowers the employee by giving them the option to resign without having to return.
What is Article 45 UAE Labour Law?
Article 45 UAE Labour Law gives you a legal exit when staying even one more day feels wrong. It allows you to resign without notice if your circumstances meet certain conditions. This protects your rights when your employer crosses clear legal lines.
Key Provisions Explained
You have the right to resign without notice if your employer has breached certain obligations under Article 45. Your instant resignation is justified since the law recognises these breaches are serious enough. More specifically, the law considers these four major instances:
- Breach of your employment contract.
- Assault or harassment.
- Grave danger to your health and safety as an employee in that workplace.
- Being forced to do work that is completely different from your contract.
2026 Relevance and No Major Changes
There have been some significant changes and updates to existing laws in 2026. For example, the Emirati minimum salary for professionals in the private sector has been increased to AED 6000. However, there haven’t been any major changes to Article 45 UAE labour law.
When Can You Use Article 45 to Resign?
You can only use Article 45 to resign if you are in any of the following four situations:
Employer Breach of Contract
If your employer has stopped paying your wages or is failing to provide the benefits they promised you in your contract, they are in breach of contract. The law requires you to notify the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). If your employer still doesn’t fix the issue within 14 working days of that notification, you are free to resign without a notice period.
Assault or Harassment at Work
If your employer, manager, or a representative at your company assaults you or subjects you to harassment, you have the right to leave immediately without even having to wait for the 14-day remedial period. You must, however, report the incident to the authorities and MOHRE within 5 working days of it happening.
Unsafe Work Environment
If your workplace is posing a grave danger to your health, you can invoke your rights. If your employer knows about the danger and does nothing to fix it, UAE labour law article 45 lets you walk away. This applies to everything, including toxic chemical exposure, structural risks that haven’t been addressed despite your warnings, and a lack of basic protective gear.
Unauthorized Job Changes
If your employer is forcing you to perform work that is completely different from what is written in your contract without your written consent, they have broken the contract.
Step-by-Step Procedure Under Article 45
Article 45 allows you to exit your company without staying for the notice period duration. Still, there are some steps that you need to complete first to not lose your end-of-service benefits or face a labour ban. Here’s how you should proceed if you have faced any of the 4 major conditions we discussed above:
Notify MOHRE First
Notify MOHRE about the issue before resigning. Use their app or website for filing your formal complaint. This will create an official record and start the mediation period in cases of contract breaches.
Required Documents
You will need:
- A copy of your original employment contract
- Proof of the breach (bank statements showing non-payment, photos of unsafe conditions, or emails proving harassment)
- Your Emirates ID
- The formal complaint reference number from MOHRE
After Resignation
After you have followed the steps and resigned, you are still entitled to your full end-of-service gratuity and any unpaid wages. MOHRE might request your clarification or mediation from you, even though you have already resigned. You should respond calmly and clearly.
Your employer is legally required to cancel your visa and pay your dues within 14 days of your employment contract being terminated. If they still try to withhold your pay for leaving, MOHRE will escalate your case to the Labour Court.
Article 45 vs Related Laws
While Articles 44 and 45 both deal with the immediate termination of employment contracts, they still differ. The former empowers the employers while the latter protects the workers. With Article 45, the standard notice period doesn’t apply. We illustrate the difference between these two laws with this table:
| Feature | Article 44 | Article 45 |
| Who initiates? | Employer | Employee |
| Reason | Employee misconduct (theft, assault, etc.) | Employer breach (unpaid wages, harassment) |
| Notice Period | Zero | Zero |
| Gratuity | May be forfeited in some cases | Always protected for the employee |
Common Mistakes and 2026 Tips
The biggest mistake you can make is simply walking out of your workplace without even reporting it to MOHRE. Here are some of our tips for you to prevent any errors and advocate for your rights upheld by the local labour laws:
- Never rely on verbal promises. If your employer is only verbally promising you to pay next week, but there aren’t any solid actions to back up that claim, have them send it to you in an email.
- Always keep your cool. Even if the environment is toxic, you need to get that paper trail.
- Check your contract type. Make sure you have clauses that relate to your term durations.
- Report the issues formally to MOHRE.
Conclusion
Article 45 exists for moments when staying silent costs you far more than simply leaving. It gives you a lawful exit when your employer breaks trust, safety, or agreement. Use it carefully and use it correctly. And if you are in doubt, get guidance from a reliable service provider.
If this guide helped, check out our other blogs on UAE labour law. Each one answers a question you did not know you needed yet.
FAQs
What does Article 45 of UAE Labour Law cover?
Article 45 covers situations where your employer commits serious breaches such as contract violations, harassment, unsafe working conditions, or unauthorized role changes.
How to file an Article 45 complaint with MOHRE?
You can file a complaint through MOHRE channels online or in person. Submit details of the breach with supporting documents.
Do I get an end-of-service gratuity under Article 45?
If your resignation qualifies under Article 45 UAE labour law, you will get your end-of-service gratuity.
Has Article 45 changed in the 2025 and 2026 UAE Labour Law?
There haven’t been any changes to Article 45 in the updates to UAE’s labour laws in 2025 and 2026.
Can Article 45 apply to unlimited contracts?
Article 45 applies regardless of your contract types, given that you meet the qualifying conditions.
