Amendments To UAE Labour Law Come Into Effect

3rd January 2016

In September 2015, the Minister of Labour issued three decrees to be effective in the UAE from 1st January 2016. The decrees cover termination of employment relations; standard employment contracts; and, granting of work permits by a new employer.

The purpose of the new decrees is to improve the attractiveness of the UAE labour market; to ensure better employment relationships based upon mutual agreements between employer and employee; and, enable flexibility to change jobs.

The three decrees are as follows:

Ministerial Decree (764) of 2015 on Ministry of Labour (MOL)-Approved Standard Employment Contracts.
Ministerial Decree (765) of 2015 on Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations.
Ministerial Decree (765) of 2015 on Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations.

These decrees supersede any other previous provisions which are contrary or inconsistent. The full transcripts of each decree can be viewed and downloaded from the MOHRE website.

HE Humaid bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, indicated the procedure for recruiting foreign workers from overseas in three steps. First, the employer applies for the quota. Second, the printed offer should be given to the worker containing a comprehensive description of their rights and duties, terms and conditions, through "Tas’heel" service centres or through the ‘MoLApp’ smartphone application. The offer will be in Arabic, English and a third language that the worker understands. Workers can review their contracts through the MOHRE website. Third, the employer attaches the signed offer for the initial approval for MOHRE to review the application.

For further clarifications, employers and employees should seek advice from MOL which provides a free call centre service: 800665 or via email: callcentre@mol.gov.ae