Federal Decree Law No. 33 for 2021 on labour relations will enter into force on 2nd February, 2022, and under this law, Federal Law No. 8 for 1980 will cease to be in force.
In the implementation of the new law, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization will initiate new controls and procedures to allow employers to benefit from the capacities and productivity of their employees and reduce operational costs, in line with new labour categories.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization, said the new law would enhance the stature of the Emirati labour market as one of the world’s leading labour markets. It is characterized by flexibility, efficiency, ease of conducting business and attracting talents, and available expertise and skills, in light of its protection for both labour relations parties.
The new law will offer employers and employees various options for their contractual relations. Its executive regulations, which the UAE Cabinet recently approved, will set conditions and controls for various work models, along with the association’s duties, he added.
The new law sets out various work models that parties may agree to, including:
- a full-time job for one employer
- a part-time job for one or more employers for a specific number of hours or days
- temporary work carried out during a particular time period that involves a specific task and ends with its completion
- flexible work that involves changing working hours or days depending on workload and the operational and business needs of the employer
An employee may work for an employer on a flexible working arrangement depending on work circumstances and requirements.
From 2nd February, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization will issue 12 types of work permits.
These work permit types include a student training and employment permit, which allows establishments registered with the ministry to train or employ a student in the country who has reached the age of 15, according to specific controls and conditions that guarantee an appropriate training and working environment, and a work permit for citizens and children from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that allows establishments registered with the ministry to employ citizens or people from the GCC.
A work permit can also be granted to "Golden Visa" holders upon the request of an entity registered with the ministry to employ a worker who holds this visa. A trainee national work permit can also be granted to establishments registered with the ministry that wishes to train citizens with approved scientific qualifications.
The new law introduces a five-day paid bereavement leave on the death of a spouse and a three-day paid leave on the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent, commencing from the date of the death.
A five-day parental leave is also offered to both parents for childcare.
Under the new law, workers are entitled to a 10-day study leave to pursue their education in accredited educational institutions in the country.
Citizen workers are entitled to paid national service leave, in line with enforceable federal laws.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
