What happens when employees get stranded abroad due to conflict?

T.W., a 29-year-old Canadian expat working as a producer for a private company in Dubai, travelled to Jordan on June 5 to spend Eid Al Adha with her family. She had planned to return on June 13 and resume work on June 16. But due to mounting regional unrest and flight suspensions by several airlines, her return was disrupted.

- Sara AlKuwari

This is the same situation some UAE-based employees found themselves in after they left the country for a brief vacation and family visit recently. They found themselves stranded abroad due to travel disruptions caused by the Israel-Iran conflict. Some were visiting relatives, while others were simply on holiday.

What began as a short trip suddenly turned into an indefinite stay, with war-related airspace closures and airport shutdowns preventing their return.

As days pass, their concerns have shifted from simple logistics to the legal implications of their absence: Will they be considered officially absent from work? Will these days be deducted from their annual leave? Will they face salary deductions or disciplinary action?

Sharing her own experience, T.W. told Khaleej Times: “I don’t feel comfortable. There’s definitely a lot of stress and uncertainty.”