The UAE has eased its labour laws to allow a worker with an expired contract to obtain a new work permit and shift to another employer without having to wait six months and have his sponsor's consent.

The new regulations on conditions and criteria of issuing new work permit for a worker after the expiry of his service contract and transfer of sponsorship will take effect from January 2011, Wam news agency quoted Labour Minister Saqr Gobash as saying.

Once operational, the new regulations will replace the current formalities of transfer of sponsorship for expatriate workers.

The new rules stipulates that the two contracting parties must have ended their work relationship cordially and secondly, the worker should have worked with his employer for at least two years.

However, if the employer "fails to honour his legal or contractual obligations" or if the contract is proven to have been prematurely terminated" by the employer, the worker will have the right to change jobs.