New labor laws for better employment in the UAE

The UAE has made changes to its labor laws to introduce flexible working models for the post-coronavirus workplace.

The new laws, issued by President Sheikh Khalifa, will come into force on February 2, 2022, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said on Monday.

Federal Decree-Law No 33 of 2021, which governs employment relations in the private sector, will give people the chance to opt for temporary and flexible work, freelance jobs, condensed working hours and shared jobs.

The rules do not apply to employees in the public sector and domestic workers.

The new law allows for a more flexible work week where employees can fulfil as many hours as they need to meet their needs, rather than have to commit to a full-time position.

The new laws highlight and emphasize the protection of anyone in the workplace and especially employees. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, nationality, social origin, or disability. The rules offer more protection to employees against harassment.

Employers cannot withhold employees' documents, such as passports and they cannot charge workers recruitment fees. Employment contracts can last as long as three years, any indefinite contracts must be changed to fixed-term contracts that can be renewed.

Probation should not be more than six months and a two-week notice must be given if an employee is terminated during this time. Employees who want to change jobs during the probation period must give a month's notice and a 14-day notice if they want to leave the country.

Under the new rules, employees will no longer pay legal fees when filing labour cases against employers for compensation less than Dh100,000.

In the case of an employee’s death, employers must pay the end-of-service benefits and any outstanding amount to the family of the deceased within ten days. The employer will also need to pay the costs of repatriating the body.

All employees are entitled to a paid rest day with the option of more depending on the contract. Employees are also entitled under the new law to a period of paid mourning leave between three to five days, depending on their relation to the deceased.