
- Employment Contracts
- Mandatory Contracts: All employees must have a written employment contract.
- Types of Contracts: Fixed-term contracts (not exceeding three years) are standard, with the possibility of renewal.
- Language: Contracts must be in Arabic but can include translations into other languages for reference.
- Working Hours
- Standard Hours: The maximum working hours are 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week.
- Overtime: Employees are entitled to overtime pay, with an increase of:
- 25% for regular overtime.
- 50% for overtime between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM.
- Rest Days: Employees must have at least one day off per week.
- Wages and Payment
- Minimum Wage: While no fixed minimum wage exists across all sectors, certain industries and positions may have sector-specific minimum wages as per government policy.
- Payment Frequency: Wages must be paid monthly (or as specified in the employment contract) through the Wage Protection System (WPS).
- Leave and Holidays
- Annual Leave: Employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of annual leave after one year of service. Pro-rata leave applies for shorter service durations.
- Public Holidays: Employees are entitled to paid public holidays as per UAE law.
- Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year:
- First 15 days: Full pay.
- Next 30 days: Half pay.
- Remaining 45 days: Unpaid.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave (45 days at full pay, 15 days at half pay).
- Parental Leave: Employees are entitled to 5 days of parental leave.
- Termination and Notice Period
- Notice Period: A minimum notice period of: 30 days for standard contracts.
- Longer notice periods may be agreed upon but must not exceed 90 days.
- Gratuity Pay (End-of-Service Benefits): Employees completing at least one year of continuous service are entitled to severance pay:
- 21 days’ pay for each of the first five years.
- 30 days’ pay for each year after the fifth year.
- Anti-Discrimination and Harassment
- Employers must ensure a safe and respectful work environment.
- Discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, religion, or disability is prohibited.
- Equal pay for men and women is mandated for the same role.
- Visa and Sponsorship
- Employers are responsible for providing work visas and sponsorship for foreign employees.
- Employees cannot work for a company without the appropriate visa and work permit.
- Health and Safety
- Employers must provide a safe working environment and necessary safety equipment.
- Health insurance is mandatory for all employees, provided by the employer.
- Grievances and Dispute Resolution
- Employees can file complaints with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) for workplace disputes.
- Labor disputes are typically resolved through mediation; unresolved cases may proceed to labor courts.
Note: The information provided above outlines basic rules, regulations, and laws gathered from various official sources to raise awareness. Specific contracts may vary between companies. For further details, please refer to the official website or the employee can contact their company’s Human Resources (HR) department or the manager responsible for their employment contract. If there are any changes or updates to the information mentioned, please kindly email us.