On November 15th, the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a new labour law. This new law has 6 new rules within it. This new law will come into effect for workers and employers in the private sector from February 2, 2022.
1. New Work Model:
New work models allow flexible, part-time and temporary work. This new model also covers free-lancing, shared jobs, self-employment and condensed working weeks. Here two employees can complete and share their work and split their pay after getting an agreement from their employee. “In the condensed-hours model, if an employee works 40 hours a week as per the contract, he can now perform the 40 hours in three days,” said Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
2. 3-Year Contracts:
A new type of contract is sanctioned under this new law, this contract will not exceed more than three years. The contract can be renewed for the same amount of time or less upon the approval of both parties.
3. Leaves For Private Sector Employees:
Private sector employees will get 3 to 5 days of mourning leave according to the degree of the deceased relative. All employees will be eligible for a five-day parental leave. Employees that have completed a two-year tenure with their company will be given a 10-day study leave per year. The only requirement here is they should be enrolled in an accredited institution within the UAE.
New mothers are eligible for 60 days maternity leave, 15 days on half wage and 45 days paid leave. Also after finishing the maternity leave period, women can avail themselves of an additional 45 days without any pay. Mothers of babies with special needs are allowed to take an additional 30-day leave after completing the maternity period, this can be further extended for another 30 days with no pay.
4. Prohibition Of Bullying, Discrimination And Harassment:
Under this new law, employees will be given more protection against unlawful seizure of documents, bullying, psychological harassment or physical by their superiors. Along with this, discrimination based on race, colour, sex, religion, nationality or disability is strictly prohibited. The special aim here is to empower women in their workplace.
5. Employment Of Teenagers:
Teenagers will not be allowed to work a 12-hour shift (for example 7 am to 7 pm) or any risky job that can be dangerous to their well-being and physical health.
