UAE jobs: What you need to know about non-compete clause in your contract

UAE jobs: What you need to know about non-compete clause in your contract

Can I take up the new job if there is some way for me to testify that company secrets will not be shared?

Published: Sun 29 May 2022, 11:07 AM Last updated: Sun 29 May 2022, 11:26 AM

Question: Can you explain the non-compete clause in a contract? If I get a job in a firm with similar responsibilities as my current role, can my company use the clause against me? How does it work? What can the company do? Can I take up the new job if there is some way for me to testify that company secrets will not be shared? Please help, as the employment offer I have received has considerably more benefits than my current job.

Response: Pursuant to your queries, it is assumed that you are employed by a mainland private company based in the UAE. Therefore, the provisions of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations (the 'Employment Law') and those of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations (the 'Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022) are applicable.

In the UAE, an employee may