On 02.02.2022, a new labour law will come into force in the United Arab Emirates ("UAE"). Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 will then replace Federal Law No. 8 of 1980, which has been in effect for more than forty years. We have summarised some interesting aspects of the new labour law for you.
Scope of Application
The new labour law applies to employees working in the private sector of the UAE.
Employees of federal and local government entities, members of the armed forces, police and security as well as domestic workers are excluded.
Employment Contract
Only fixed-term employment contracts may be concluded.
Existing unlimited-term employment contracts must be converted into fixed-term contracts by 01.02.2023.
An employer and employee may agree on full-time work, part-time work, temporary work (i.e. for a specific period or project) or flexible work (i.e. depending on the workload).
Workplace
There is a prohibition of discrimination with regard to race, colour, sex, religion, national and ethnic origin or disability. Preference for Emirati nationals in the labour market does not constitute discrimination.
An employer, supervisor or colleague is prohibited from sexually harassing or verbally, physically or psychologically bullying an employee.
Salary
Women and men must receive the same salary for the same work.
The principle of a minimum wage is provided for by law, but still requires further clarification by cabinet resolution.
Salaries may be paid in any currency.
Entitlement to sick pay arises immediately after the end of the probationary period.
Working Hours
The regular maximum working hours are eight hours per day or 48 hours per week.
In principle, only two hours of overtime may be worked per day. However, the total working hours may not exceed 144 hours within a three-week period. The overtime pay is calculated based on the basic salary in addition to at least 25% of the basic salary.
The weekly rest day may be agreed between the employer and the employee and does not have to fall on Friday.
Working hours in the month of Ramadan are still to be determined by implementing regulation.
The employer and employee may agree on remote work.
Leave
During annual leave, the employee is entitled to full salary pay.
Annual leave shall be taken in the year in which it accrues. Carryover to the next year requires the employer's consent.
Any annual leave not taken is compensated on the basis of basic salary.
The entitlement to paid maternity leave is 60 days with full pay for the first 45 days and half pay for the following 15 days.
Other types of leave exist in the form of bereavement leave, parental leave and study leave.
Probationary Period
The employer must give 14 days' notice during the probationary period.
If the employee resigns during the probationary period, he is subject to a notice period of either 14 days or one month, depending on whether he plans to leave the country or take up another job in the UAE.
If the employee resigns during the probationary period, the new employer may be liable to compensate the old employer for the employee's recruitment costs.
Termination
A notice period of between 30 and 90 days can be agreed.
Termination with notice requires a legitimate reason.
If the employer gives notice, the employee is entitled to one day of unpaid leave per week during the notice period to find a new employment.
Severance Pay
According to the wording of the new labour law, the severance pay of a foreign employee is to be calculated at the end of a full-time employment on the basis of working days.
The basis for calculating the severance pay is the last basic salary received. Any commission payments or bonuses are not taken into account.
Irrespective of the reason for termination and the person giving notice, the employee retains full entitlement to severance pay, i.e. even in case of own termination or termination without notice by the employer.
Non-Compete Clause
The maximum duration of a post-contractual non-compete clause is two years.
A non-compete clause becomes void should the employer terminate the employment in violation of the provisions of the labour law.
Ban
If a foreign employee violates legal obligations in connection with a termination, the employee may be refused a new work permit for a period of one year.
Administration
The employer is prohibited from claiming reimbursement from the employee for expenses incurred in the course of the employee's recruitment and employment.
Passports and other official documents of the employee may not be retained.
The employer is obliged to keep employment records for at least two years after termination of employment.
The employer must pay all entitlements due to an employee within 14 days of termination of employment.
Penalties
Employing a worker without having applied for a work permit is punishable by a fine of between AED 50,000 and AED 200,000.
Outlook
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 refers in numerous instances to an implementing regulation and cabinet decisions to be issued at a later stage. The new labour law will therefore be further specified by supplementary provisions in the future.