In the UAE, the question of retirement age and the possibility of continuing employment beyond traditional retirement years is a topic of great interest for many expatriate workers. While federal laws and ministerial resolutions provide some guidelines, there remains a degree of flexibility that allows for continued employment based on specific criteria.
This article explores the retirement age in the UAE, the regulations surrounding it, and the opportunities available for employees who wish to continue working beyond the age of 60.
Question: I have worked at a Dubai-based organization for 12 years and will turn 58 this year. What is the retirement age in the UAE, and can I continue working after this age?
Answer: In the UAE, the Federal law on the Regulation of Employment Relations and subsequent ministerial resolutions do not specify a mandatory retirement age. However, the current employment law permits the application of provisions from the previous employment law, Federal Law No 8 of 1980, which regulated employment relations. This is supported by Article 73 (3) of the current employment law, which states that existing decisions, regulations, and rules will continue to apply as long as they do not conflict with the new law until they are replaced.
According to Ministerial Resolution No. 52 of 1989, the retirement age for expatriate employees in the private sector is set at 60 years. Article 3 (c) of this resolution states that applications for recruiting non-national employees must ensure that the employee is not less than 18 and not more than 60 years old. However, this age limit can be waived if the employee possesses extensive and rare experience that is crucial for the job and the UAE economy, with such waivers sanctioned by the Minister.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has been accepting work permit requests for individuals over 60 up to 65 years old, effectively raising the retirement age to 65. Employees working in private sector entities on the mainland can therefore continue to work until they are 65. This age limit can be further extended based on the individual's expertise, credentials, and the importance of their role to the UAE economy and their employer.
Based on these legal provisions, you can continue to work in the UAE after retiring from your current employer if a new entity grants you a work permit. This permit will be based on your work experience and skills, and it is at the discretion of the MoHRE to approve the application submitted by your prospective employer.
News Source: Khaleej Times
