Mobile Number: +971 052 628 4783 | Weekend Emergency: +971 526444409
logo
Hamdan AlShamsi Lawyers
logo
  • About
    • Overview
    • Support Staff
    • Testimonials
    • News
    • Whats on @ HAS
  • LEGAL TEAM
    • Ahmad Al Khalil – Partner
    • Alaa Galal – Legal Advisor
    • Haifa Al Khayat – Head of Litigation
    • Hamdan AlShamsi – Senior Partner
    • Mohammed Nil – Legal Advisor
    • Mohamed Nour – Associate
    • Nandini Tiwari – Associate
    • Support Staff
  • Practice Areas
    • Banking & Finance
    • Corporate
    • Criminal
    • Employment & Labor Law
    • Family
    • Hospitality
    • Intellectual Property
    • Maritime
    • Real Estate
  • Legal Articles
    • PDF Guides
    • Legal Articles
    • News
    • Questions & Answers
      • Tips For Finding The Right Lawyer In The UAE
      • Fundraising Laws In Dubai, What you need to know
      • The UAE Labor Laws: What You Need To Know
      • UAE Central Bank Issues New Digital Payment Regulations
      • UAE Child Protection Laws
    • VAT Guides
  • Contact
February 18, 2019 by Web Developer in Labour Law

United Arab Emirates:

The UAE Labor Laws: What You Need To Know

Article by Hamdan Al Shamsi Lawyers & Legal Consultants

Last year, the Ministry of Labor issued a comprehensive set of rules to shape stronger relationships between workers and employers throughout the UAE. These changes were enacted to improve the labor market across the country by encouraging transparency and advocating for more flexible labor mobility for workers.

 

What are the major changes of the new UAE labor regulations?

New changes under the UAE Labor Laws included a standard work contract, conditions for terminating a contract, and procedures pertaining to work permits.

 

How do the new UAE labor regulations impact employment contracts?

Under the new labor laws, employers must obtain a standardized offer letter provided by the ministry’s electronic system. This letter will include a default section that highlights various aspects of the new labor laws, to include employer/employee rights and responsibilities. Before being submitted to the ministry, both parties must sign this legally binding letter.

Similarly, the standardized work contract must be printed from the ministry’s system and signed by both employee and employer. Aimed at encouraging transparency between the employer and employee, the contract of employment must define wages/commissions, establish contract dates/duration, explain the scope/nature of work to be conducted, and establish the location of employment (among others). Although not specified, the estimated processing times for work permits under these new decrees range from 4-6 weeks. Processing times are based on many independent variables, to include qualifications, medical exams, and documentation (to name a few).

 

How do changes to the UAE labor laws affect visa transfers?

One of the significant advantages under the new labor laws pertains to visa transfers. Under the new labor laws, a worker can change employers after six months, provided they obtain their employer’s consent. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous two-year time frame previously regulated by the Ministry. The new laws also include further flexibility for employees of “unlimited term” contracts who are now permitted to obtain a new work permit even if the employee initiated employment termination. In these cases, the employee must have completed six months of service and completed their notice period as agreed in their initial employment contract. Additionally, workers can obtain a new work permit and transfer if their employer fails to meet their “legal and contractual obligations” or in cases where “the employing company has not provided work due to the firm being inactive for more than two months”.

 

How do changes to the UAE labor laws affect working hours?

The changes to the labor laws include regulations establishing guidelines regarding employee rights, to include working hours and breaks. The new UAE Labor Laws defines legal working hours at a maximum of eight hours per day, with a maximum of 48 hours per week. Additionally, employees must not work more than five consecutive hours without a break, citing that every five hours of work entitles an employee to a one hour break. During Ramadan, work shifts must be reduced by two hours in both public and private sectors.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. If you are looking for the best labour lawyer in Dubai, contact us today.

0
Recommend
Share
  • Child Protection Laws
Tagged in

Recent Updates

  • مفهوم الجريمة في ظل التعديلات الجديدة
  • DIFC Data Protection Law – Actions Required By Businesses
  • Complex Dispute Resolution Clauses in Contracts
  • Why Arbitration
  • The New Family Contract Law: A New Era For the Succession of Family Estates
  • Can I make a Power of Attorney during the COVID-19 Outbreak
  • Negotiating with Landlords in a Time of Crisis: The Legal Approach
  • International Comparative Legal Guides – Litigation & Dispute Resolution 2020

Contact Client Affairs

put your message here

Want to know whom to contact?

Contact our client affairs to help you choose the right lawyer for you.

Address

Head Office: Office 107,
Bay Square, BLD- 07,
Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE.

P.O. Box 116564

Office Timings

Sunday to Thursday : 9:00 – 19:00

Telephone: +971 4 3469262    |    Fax: +971 4 3469272
For any legal inquiries, please email us on clientaffairs@alshamsilegal.com
For general inquiries: info@alshamsilegal.com    |    Emergency number: 0526444409

Interested in working with us?

Kindly send your CV with a Cover letter to

Hr@alshamsilegal.com

Location Map

A member of the
legal500
© 2020 Alshamsi. All Rights Reserved.
logo