UAE Labour Law: Know Your Working Rights

When it comes to employee rights, the labour law in UAE has a lot to offer to those working here. Expats, particularly, can and should learn about the UAE labour law. They can read up information online or get assistance from a professional lawyer from one of the best law firms in Dubai. This shall allow them to get an insight into all that the UAE labour law entails.

Listed below are your legal rights as per UAE labour law:

Annual Leave is Your Right

The worker is entitled to avail of an official leave with full payment on:

• New Year’s Day
• Islamic New Year
• Eid-ul-Fitr (2 days)
• Eid-ul-Adha and Arafat Day (4 Days)
• Commemoration Day
• National Day (2 days)

Also, a worker can take annual leave every year of service no less than:

2 days for each month of the worker has been working for a minimum of 6 months or a maximum a year

30 days for each year if the worker has been working for more than a year

You are Entitled to Regular Pay

A daily wager should get the wages on a working day at the working site in the national currency. Those employed for an annual or monthly wage should get wages once per month.

The Employer Cannot Keep Your Passport

Without your written consent, the employer cannot keep your passport. Also, they cannot fire the worker for not surrendering the passport.

You Do Not Have to Bear Residency Visa Costs

The visa expenses are the sole responsibility of the employer as per UAE labour law. You are never required to reimburse the cost to the employer for a visa.

The Working Hours Cannot Be More than 8 or 9 Hours a Day

The maximum number of working hours for adult workers should not exceed 8-9 hours or 48 hours per week. People working in cafeterias, hotels, security, and trade may work for 9 hours a day as per decision by the Minister of Labour. During the holy month of Ramadan, the ordinary working hours will be reduced by two hours. The time taken to commute from home to the workplace is not calculated in the work hours.

No Employer Consent is Needed for Resignation

According to the UAE labour law, you do not need your employer’s consent to resign from the job.

You are Entitled to Gratuity after Resignation

Your most recent salary without allowances or bonuses determines your gratuity pay. It can vary according to the type of contract. It may be limited or unlimited.

Completing Notice Period is Necessary

Serving the notice period is necessary. For all the labour contracts, the employees are liable to serve the notice period that is mentioned in the contract and has been agreed upon by both the employer and employee. If you leave without serving the notice period, the consequences can be severe resulting in getting banned from working in the UAE for up to one year.

Grace Period is Your Right Even after Termination of Work Visa

Once the work visa gets cancelled and the employment contract has been terminated, the employee is given a 30-day grace period. The grace period starts from the date of the cancellation. The employee can either leave the country or get a new residence permit. Any illegal residents are liable to be deported/fined.

To sum it up, to work in the UAE, one must be aware of its rules and regulations. Also, it is important to know about the UAE Labour Law. The article 121 UAE labour law is rather helpful in knowing and understanding your legal working rights in the emirates