ABU DHABI — The Ministry of Labour warned employers against cancelling the labour card of a worker during his annual leave, denouncing such a measure as unlawful.

In such case, the worker is entitled to a salary of three months and can shift to another firm without the consent of his sponsor.

The open day committee at the Ministry of Labour received on Monday a complaint from a worker stating that his employer had cancelled his labour card right away after his return from his annual leave.

This means that he initiated the measure during the holiday.

As the committee referred the compliant to the Work Relations Department, the ministry affirmed that the labour law prohibits cancellation of the labour card while the worker is on his annual leave and considered the act like an arbitrary termination of service.

The committee also referred a complaint for investigation to identify how the absconding notice against an employee was lifted without the knowledge of his  employer.