President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued a new law aimed at regulating labour relations in the private sector across the emirates.
Dubbed as the most sweeping labour reforms in the country to date, Federal Decree – Law No.33 of 2021 will come into force on February 2, 2022.
This includes numerous provisions intended to create a flexible and competitive labour market, attract top talents, empower the female workforce, and guarantee the rights of both the employer and the employee in a balanced manner.
One of the key provisions in the new law prohibits employers to force employees to work over five consecutive hours without at least one-hour break.
No more than two hours of overtime are allowed in a day.
More than two hours overtime can only be allowed if the nature of job requires it. The list of industries exempted from this provision has yet to be released.
However, employees must receive an overtime pay equivalent to the hourly rate with additional 25 per cent increase. Those who are working overtime between 10 pm and 4 am should be given overtime pay equivalent to the hourly pay with a 50 percent increase.
Another key provision of the new law prohibits employers or companies from confiscating employees’ official documents.
They cannot also force employees to leave the country after the end of the work term.
The law also stipulates that the employer shall bear the fees and expenses of recruitment and employment.
They shall not recover them directly or indirectly from the employee.
