The Shura Council yesterday approved articles in the new labour law that would allow employees to quit work under such situations and file a case in court for unfair dismissal.

The articles also stipulate that employees have the right to terminate their contract whenever they feel the employer is disrespecting work ethics or that they are being humiliated.

However, employees must give a 30-day notice and inform employers about the violation.

If there is no response, then employees have to get a court order stating that they were unfairly dismissed and should receive compensation.

Meanwhile, the employer has the right to terminate a contract whenever it is proven that the employee presented bogus credentials and work experience.

He will also be eligible to terminate the contract if the employee commits a major mistake that leads to losses, provided the employer informs the government authority concerned within 24 hours of the incident.

The employer will also have the right to terminate the contract of an employee who is absent from work for 20 separate days or 10 consecutive days within a year for no valid reason.

The contract can also be terminated if the employee leaks vital information or has been convicted in a major crime.

Termination will be also possible if the employee comes to work under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

The employer can immediately terminate the contract if physically or verbally attacked by the employee.

However, the council decided yesterday to postpone a vote on an article that requires the employer to take disciplinary action against employees due to lack of information on procedures.

Councillors also postponed a vote on an article that would allow the employer to terminate contracts whenever there are plans to shrink the size of the firm or due to losses, saying that this was against employees' rights.

They also decided not to vote on an article that would allow employees to terminate contracts without any penalties, as councillors believed that this was unfair to the employer.

Services Committee Vice-chairman and Secretary Sameera Bin Rajab said that under the law, a new office would be established at the Labour Ministry to look into disputes between employers and employees in the government sector.

"If the office fails to reach an agreement, then the case goes to court," she said.

Present at yesterday's discussions was Labour Ministry under-secretary Jameel Humaidan.

The council will continue discussions on the law at its weekly session next Monday.