10 Things You Should Know About the New UAE Employment Labour Law in 2024

Starting in 2024, the UAE will enforce new regulations in its employment labour law. With the implementation of the new labour law, employers are now obligated to foster responsible and robust employment connections. The law was made to ensure the protection of the rights of all parties involved. From new work models to leaves and vacations, the law addresses a variety of topics. Here are 10 things you should know about the new UAE labour law.

Fixed-term contracts only

Unlimited contracts are no longer available in the UAE workplace. On the other hand, employers can only provide contracts for a specific time frame. The usual duration for these contracts is three years, and they can be extended if both parties agree to the same duration or a shorter one. 

 Probation period notice

The required probation time has changed in the UAE's new labour law. While businesses can terminate employees at any time under probation, the new regulation requires a 14-day notice period. Similarly, the employee is obligated to provide a written notice of probationary termination at least 14 days before the contract ends. 

Part-Time And Flexible Working Arrangements

The new UAE employment law improves working conditions in order to boost labour market flexibility and productivity. Employees can now choose from a variety of working patterns, including flexible employment, part-time work, and temporary work.

Working Days and Hours

Under the new UAE employment laws, there is a model that provides a shorter work week by reducing working hours. According to Article 17 of the UAE labour legislation, private firms have an 8-hour workday and a 48-hour workweek. Employers, on the other hand, must give employees the option of working 40 hours a week under the new rule. This new rule imposes a four-day work week, with a daily duration of 10 hours.

Annual Leave

According to UAE employment law, employees are entitled to annual leave. Apart from annual leaves, there were several revisions made to the leave allowances for employees in the UAE. According to the new UAE labour law, here are the additional leaves that employees receive.

• Three days of leave for mourning the loss of close relatives.
• Following the birth of a child, parents can take either intermittent or consecutive leaves of five days, every six months.
• Employees who have been with the employer for at least two years are entitled to a 10-day study leave for exams.

End of Service Gratuity

The number of working days is now used to calculate the end-of-service gratuity. Gratuity remains unaffected for employees who resign. Unpaid maternity leaves are an exception when it comes to end-of-service gratuity. 

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave was one of the areas addressed in the UAE employment law’s revised leave section. Women in the workplace now enjoy an extended maternity leave of 60 days as per the new labour law. Full pay is granted to women for the initial 45 days. However, they receive only half of their salary during the final 15 days of maternity leave. If employees experience pregnancy-related illnesses, they are eligible for an additional 45 days of unpaid leave. 

Discrimination

All employees are safeguarded against discrimination by Article 4 of the new UAE labour law. It is prohibited to show bias and deny equal fair treatment, regardless of sex, race, religion, social origin, or disability. Both women and men receive equal pay for performing either the same task or a similar task of equal value. Other marginalised groups are subject to the same rules. 

Harassment and Bullying

Harassment and bullying are discouraged by the new UAE employment labour law. Sexual harassment, bullying, or any form of violence against the worker is strictly prohibited by Article 14 of the labour law.

Forced Labour

Discrimination-based forced labour is now illegal under the new UAE employment law. The new Dubai labour law incorporates this change in Article 4. As a result, managers are prohibited from forcing employees to work by using any form of threat. Furthermore, the UAE expressly prohibits the termination of a woman’s employment due to pregnancy, as stated in Article 30. 

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