The UAE labour market offers a diverse range of employment patterns and work types, providing employees with flexibility and adaptability. These six distinct work patterns allow both employers and employees to choose the contractual arrangement that best meets their needs, enhancing the ease of doing business and market flexibility.
These arrangements not only promote productivity but also ensure compliance with legal regulations while providing various financial benefits, offering stability through multiple income options.
Each work pattern, governed by specific legal regulations through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), is designed to protect the rights of both employers and employees.
Here are the six work patterns available in the UAE:
- Temporary Work: Employees work on a specific assignment with a contract that ends upon its completion, often tied to a particular task or project.
- Part-Time Work: Employees work for one or more employers for a certain number of hours or days each week. This arrangement allows individuals to take multiple part-time jobs without the original employer's approval, provided they obtain a part-time permit from MoHRE.
- Full-Time Work: Employees work for one employer throughout regular work hours on all working days. This long-term contract outlines job responsibilities, working hours, salary, benefits, and termination procedures, ensuring a stable employment relationship.
- Flexible Work: Work hours or days vary based on the employer's needs, the nature of the work, and the worker's circumstances. This arrangement provides flexibility in working hours, adjusting based on workload and various economic and operational factors.
- Job Sharing: Duties are divided among several workers to complete pre-agreed tasks, with responsibilities and salaries shared between employees. This model is suitable for those seeking contractual jobs with multiple employers.
- Remote Work: Employees perform their jobs remotely, either entirely or partially, using electronic communication to replace physical presence at the workplace.
Wage Protection System (WPS): The UAE government's WPS ensures the safe, secure, and timely payment of wages to employees by their employers. All employers registered with MoHRE must subscribe to the WPS and transfer salaries to employees' accounts through banks or financial institutions authorized by the Central Bank of the UAE. Non-compliance with the WPS can result in penalties for companies.
Salary Payment Guidelines: Employers must pay employees by the first day of the month following the end of the period specified in the employment contract. If no period is specified, employees must be paid at least once a month. Employers default on wage payments if they do not pay within 15 days after the due date unless a shorter period is agreed upon in the employment contract.
Minimum Wages: While the UAE Labour Law does not stipulate a minimum salary, it broadly mentions that salaries must cover the basic needs of employees.
News Source: Khaleej Times
