What are the latest employment guidelines for Private Companies in the UAE

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) recently outlined essential employment guidelines for private sector employers. These regulations aim to protect employee rights while ensuring employer compliance with UAE Labour Law.

This blog highlights the latest employer obligations as outlined in Article (13) of the UAE Labour Law. For more details, you can refer to the article regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship and its amendments on MOHRE website

Key Employment Guidelines for UAE Private Companies

1. Maintaining Employee Records

Employers must maintain workers’ files and records as per MOHRE standards. These records must be retained for at least two years after the employee’s service ends.

2. Protecting Employee Documents

Employers are prohibited from withholding employees’ official documents or forcing them to leave the UAE at the end of their employment relationship.

3. Setting Workplace Regulations

Employers must establish workplace policies, including rules, penalties, promotions, and rewards, as per the standards outlined in the Labour Law’s Implementing Regulations.

4. Providing Housing or Allowances

Employers must provide workers with proper accommodation licensed by the relevant authorities or include housing allowances in their wages, adhering to the UAE’s housing standards.

5. Promoting Skill Development

Employers are required to invest in developing workers’ skills by providing training, qualification programs, and empowerment tools. They must ensure that workers receive at least the minimum level of training required under UAE Labour Law.

6. Ensuring Workplace Safety

Employers must implement all necessary measures to protect workers from occupational injuries and diseases. This includes:

• ✔️ Providing safety training and guidance,
• ✔️ Conducting regular health and safety assessments,
• ✔️ Ensuring compliance with occupational safety standards.

7. Educating Workers About Their Rights

Employers are responsible for ensuring that workers understand their rights and obligations at work. This can be achieved using tools and methods suitable for the nature of the job and workplace.

8. Covering Medical Costs

Employers must bear the costs of medical care in accordance with the legislation in force in the State.

9. Covering  Insurance Costs

Employers must bear the costs of insurance, contributions and guarantees for their employees, as per the legislation in force.

10. Restricting Dual Employment

Employers must ensure that workers do not engage in additional employment unless explicitly allowed under UAE Labour Law.

11. Issuing Experience Certificates

Upon an employee’s request at the end of their employment, employers must provide a free experience certificate. This certificate should include:

• ✔️ Start and end dates of service
• ✔️ Service Term, Job title or type of work performed
• ✔️ Last wage receiving
• ✔️ Reason for employment termination.

The certificate must not contain any remarks that could harm the worker’s reputation or future job prospects.

12. Cover Repatriation Costs

Employers are obligated to cover repatriation expenses of the worker to his place of recruitment or
any other place that both parties had agreed upon, unless he has already joined
the service of another employer or unless the reason for terminating the contract
was attributed to the worker, then that the latter shall be liable for incurring those
expenses

13. Providing a Safe Work Environment

Employers must ensure a safe and appropriate work environment, meeting all legal and operational standards.

14. Additional Obligations

Employers must adhere to any other obligations stated under this Decree-Law, its Implementing Regulation, Cabinet resolutions, or other applicable legislation in the UAE.

For More Information

To read the full text of Article (13) of the UAE Labour Law or stay updated on labour guidelines, visit the official MOHRE website.

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