The Federal Decree-Law of 2021 governs the employee-employer relationship in the UAE. The law stipulates the regulations of labor relations which is also called UAE labor laws. The rules and regulations are introduced to safeguard the work’s rights. Besides, it is also an essential element to smooth economic growth and economic stability.
The Key goal of focusing on UAE Labor Law is to secure the rights of employers and employees alike in the country. Furthermore, it also assists in creating the right balance in the workplace. It helps in balancing the workplace for workers and employers to create a positive work environment.
It also promotes greater flexibility in the UAE labor market. It motivates and encourages employees to work with integrity and utmost professionalism. The labor laws in the UAE also emphasize encouraging greater transparency along with accountability for the action. Additionally, another main objective of UAE labor laws is to have more fairness in labor relations. This is achieved by adhering to the UAE Labor laws and regulations that govern the employer-worker relationship. Learn more about UAE Labour Law and its legal interpretations.
The UAE labor law is applicable to all the employees of the UAE working in the private sector. However, there are few specific rules and laws that are applied to free-zone workers. It covers the free zone workers working in their respective authorities. There are certain essential provisions of the Labor Law in the UAE. The key provisions and clauses must be taken into account. The key provisions must be included in the employment contracts.
In addition, according to the provisions and clauses, all workers in the UAE should have a written employment agreement. Oral or verbal employment contracts have no legal standing in the UAE. The employment contract should be clear and concise outlining the job description. It must explain the job responsibilities, wages, entitlements, benefits, and duration.
The employment contract in the UAE can be for a limited term and even for an unlimited term. This offers a high level of flexibility to both parties involved in the employment contract. Additionally, the employers need to provide the workers with a copy of the employment contract. The employment contract should be registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE).
In addition, specifically, the employment contract must mention the duration, Working Hours, entitlements, benefits, salaries, and other crucial factors. Moreover, the standard work week according to the labor laws in the UAE is 48 hours. This is equivalent to 8 hours a day. During Ramadan working hours are reduced.
However, there are overtime laws. For overtime, the employees are paid for the additional work and services rendered. The extra hours workers and time of the day are compensated according to the labor laws in the UAE. The salary and benefits should be paid promptly. The wages must be paid to the workforce via the Wage Protection System (WPS).
Nevertheless, the employees are entitled to a series of leaves. It may include annual leaves, sick leaves, maternity leaves, and so forth. The public holidays as given specifically to the UAE laws. The workers in the UAE have a gratuity along with some benefits and entitlements. The Employees are entitled to get the entitlements and gratuity. The gratuity is based on their length of service.
Added, the employers and employees need to provide prior notices before they terminate the employment contract due to any reasons. There are special exemptions for gross misconduct. The UAE labor laws emphasis is placed upon dispute resolution between the employer and workers. There are detailed guidelines as to how to resolve the labor disputes among them.
Some of the most common types of issues are delayed wages, wrongful dismissal, unfair termination, long-due end-of-service benefits, harassment, discrimination, and violating the employment contract. As per the labor laws in the UAE, the best possible way to resolve the labor dispute is to opt for an amicable settlement.
The Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratization MOHRE encourages it. It motivates employees and employers to resolve their disputes amicably before escalating them to the UAE labor courts. Legal proceedings have been discouraged in recent years. Anti-Discrimination and Harassment are strictly not permitted in the UAE. The UAE labor laws prohibit workplace discrimination, harassment, and sexual abuse or violence based on sex, gender, religion, background, nationality, race, and ethnicity.
This paves a way to ensure more equality between men and women in the workplace environment. It also provides equal opportunities to men and women performing the same nature of the job. Nonetheless, employment and labor lawyers specialize in navigating employees and employers through different situations according to the labor laws of the UAE.
The professional and well-learned employment and labor lawyers in the UAE have a deeper understanding of the UAE labor laws, regulations, provisions, and clauses. They accordingly guide them to protect their interest and rights. Employment and Labor lawyers in the UAE have a thorough knowledge of the regulations and laws. Besides, they know the implications of the regulations across all private sector employees and employers in the UAE.
Nonetheless, there are free zones other than 7 emirates in the UAE. The Employment and labor lawyers in the UAE are capable of providing legal support with the guidelines on contracts, and labor agreements along with working hours, salaries, benefits, entitlements, and dispute resolution.
