As a result of strong economies, modern infrastructure, and numerous job opportunities; The UAE continues to attract thousands of international workers year after year. Candidates interested in working in the UAE need to know the private sector employment law/regulations of the country.
The UAE Government’s official website states that there are clear labour laws governing private sector employment, which offer protections for both employers and employees. These laws ensure transparency within an employer-employee relationship, ensuring fair wages among workers and safe working conditions for all employees, no matter their industry, i.e., Hospitality, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas.
At Dynamic Staffing Services, we feel candidates will be in a better position to succeed with their overseas career if they are informed about the regulations associated with working within the UAE.
Understanding the UAE Labour Law
Understanding the UAE Labour Law provides insight into how a candidate within the UAE will be required to work. The UAE labour market operates in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 governing the employment relationship in the private sector. This law governs a majority of workers who are employed in the UAE, regardless of whether or not they are foreign nationals.
The law focuses on creating a balanced employer-employee relationship by providing employees with fair treatment, clear contracts of employment, and defined rights in the work environment. For candidates who desire to work in the UAE, they should expect to have more job security and employment terms that are more structured.
Employment Contracts and Job Transparency
The most significant factor when employed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the contract of employment. Every employee must sign a contract before beginning work stating:
- Job title and duties.
- Benefits and salary.
- Number of working hours.
- Absence and leave entitlements.
- Length of the contract.
The contracts are registered with the UAE’s Ministry of Labour and are a means of protection against unfair treatment of employees, and thus, all applicants should check the contents of their contracts thoroughly before taking a job overseas.
Working Hours and Overtime
The law of the UAE stipulates that the following are standard working conditions in the private sector (i.e., those working in the private sector can expect):
- Generally, a working day comprises 8 hours per day, which sums to 48 hours in a working week.
- Eligible for overtime pay as per company policy and position (for those working beyond the above-mentioned hours).
- Employee working hours may differ due to the holy month of Ramadan, which leads to reduced daily hours of work.
Salary Protection System (WPS)
The Wage Protection System (WPS) was implemented by the government of the UAE in order to ensure that employees receive their wages at the correct time by ensuring that all companies pay wages through electronic payment systems.
For employees who work under WPS, this means:
- Wages will be paid to the employee transparently.
- Employees will have a reduced risk of late payment of their wages.
- Wages will be paid to employees with increased financial security.
Leave and Employee Benefits
UAE Labour Law has many forms of leave available to employees in the private sector.
Some of these types of leave include:
- Annual paid leave – Generally, employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave after completing a year’s service with their employer.
- Sick leave – Employees can receive sick leave if they can supply the proper documentation from a doctor.
- Public Holidays – Employees are entitled to any public holidays that the UAE Government officially declares.
These leave entitlements, as well as good working conditions, are part of the UAE Laws’ commitment to promoting a safe and healthy workplace for all employees who work outside their home country.
Safe Working Conditions
Providing a safe and healthy workplace is important to the UAE Government, and they have established very strict guidelines that employers must adhere to in relation to:
- Workplace Safety Procedures
- Providing Employees with Adequate Accommodation
- Health & Safety Regulations at Job Sites
In the construction, manufacturing, oil, and gas industries, these regulations take on a much higher level of importance with regard to employee safety.
Why Choose Dynamic Staffing Services?
Dynamic Staffing Services is your partner for international employment opportunities, having placed many professionals into jobs throughout the Middle East. Through our experience, we understand what candidates look for when searching for a job outside their home country. The following are some of the reasons that candidates choose to work with us:
Recruitment Experts You Can Trust: We have more than 48 years of experience placing individuals into reputable positions in the UAE and throughout the Middle East.
Honest Job Offerings: We only provide our candidates with job offers from companies that have been vetted and have established a positive reputation for offering safe working conditions.
Support Throughout All Stages of the Recruitment Process: From the application stage through the visa processing and deployment phase, we provide all candidates with personal assistance throughout the entire recruitment process.
Industry-Specific Job Opportunities: We specialise in recruiting for high-demand jobs in various industries, including hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas, ensuring anyone we place will be offered a position that aligns with their skills and experience.
It is our mission to help professionals from India establish long-lasting, high-paying careers abroad.
Take the First Step towards Your Career in the UAE with Dynamic Staffing Services!
Becoming familiar with employment laws and regulations is the first step to a successful career as an expatriate. With the vast amount of employment opportunities in the UAE and established legal employment practices, it is quickly becoming one of the most popular places for naturalised Indians to establish their careers.
If you are interested in finding a career in hospitality, construction, manufacturing, or oil and gas, contact Dynamic Staffing Services today and submit your current resume at resume7@dss-hr.com or contact us at +91-11-40410000. Let Dynamic Staffing Services help you achieve your international employment goals.
