UAE labour Laws for HR functions

In the UAE Labour issues are governed by Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 Regulating Labour Relations as amended by Federal Laws No. 24 of 1981, No. 15 of 1985 and No. 12 of 1986 (the "Law"). According to Article 3 of the Law, the law applies to all employees and workers in the UAE including UAE nationals and expatriates. 

The Law covers every aspect related to the employee-employer relationship including employment contract, wages, working hours, leave, vacations and public holiday, restrictions on the employment of women and juvenile, safety and protection of employees, penalties and employment related accidents, injuries and death, termination of employment and end of service gratuity payments.

Key Provisions are as follows;

Working hours
Official leaves and vacations
Wage protection
End of service benefits
Safety at workplace 

Working hours.

As per the Article 65 of the UAE labour law normal working hours for private sector is 8 hours per day or 48 hours a week. The working hours may be increased to 9 hours a day for bar, hotels and cafeteria after approval from Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratisation.

6 hours working hours a day during holy month of Ramadan.

Overtime: working beyond normal working hrs will be considered as Overtime. Overtime is entitled to pay equal to normal working hrs plus 25% of normal pay and 50% extra pay if working between 9 pm to 4 am.

Midday working time: working is prohibited between 12.30 to 3.00 pm in open area and shelter to be provided for rest during that time.

Work schedule must be displayed in language understood by the labours and Arabic.

Official Leave and vacations

Week off – Friday is the official week end for all workers, except for daily wages workers. If employee required to work on week end must be paid normal wages plus 50% additional pay.

Paid holidays

Private employees are entitled for paid leave on all declared public holidays

Annual Leave:

2 days per month, after 6 month service. 30 day after completion of one year of service.

Sick leave:

Employee is not eligible for paid sick leave during probation period.

Employees are entitled for 90 days per year subject to conditions as per law. Employee shall get First 15 day with full payment, next 30 days half pay and sick leave without pay for next 45 days.

Special Leave:

Employee may grant not more than 30 days special leave without pay for the performance of Haj once throughout his service.  

Maternity Leave:

Women employees are entitle for 45 days paid leave, to get this benefits woman employee must have completed one year service. Those not completed one year service will get half pay. Women employee can extend 10 days extra leaves without payment.

Post delivery first 18 months women can get two rest break for child feeding but not exceeding 30 minutes each. 

Minimum Wages:

No minimum wage stipulated in the UAE labour law; however it broadly mentioned that wages/salary must cover the needs of employees.

End of service benefits

Gratuity payment:

The worker having spent one year or more in continuous service shall be entitled to an end of service gratuity upon the termination of his service. The days of absence from work without pay shall not be included in the calculation of the period of service,

Employee who completed one year or more in continuous service shall be entitled to end of service gratuity upon the termination of employment.

Limited Contract:

Employee is eligible for 21 days wage for first 5 years and 30 days wage for every additional year. Wage means basic wage not other allowance to be considered. Intotal gratuity payment shall not exceed two years total salary figure.

Unlimited Contract:

Between 1 - 3 years of service, Employee is entitled to one third of the 21-days gratuity pay.

Between 3 - 5 years of service, Employee is entitled to two thirds of the 21-days gratuity pay.

5 or more years of service, Employee is entitled to full 21-days gratuity pay.

 Safety at workplace

Every employer must provide adequate means of protection for the employee from the hazards of injuries and vocational diseases that may occur during work as well as the hazards of fire and other hazards arising from use of machines and other tools and the employee must use protective equipment and clothing provided to him for such purpose and he must abide by all instructions of the employer aiming at his protection from dangers and must not act in a way that may obstruct the application of said instruction.

Display of conspicuous point in the place of business detailed instructions concerning methods to prevent fire and protect employees from dangers while they perform their duties.

First aid box to be presented at workplace, each first-aid box must contain sufficient medicines for 100 employees.

Employer must provide proper cleanliness and ventilation in each place of business and must provide such places with adequate illumination, potable water and toilets.

Employee medical check once in six month for employees who expose to hazardous work environments 

These are general understanding and information on labour laws and rules in best of my knowledge, which I learned in my working tenure with private manufacturing firm. This piece information is written for general information to my professional network; it is not a legal advice. I am not liable for any errors or omissions. 

Source: uaelaborlaw.com