Information about UAE Labour Law

The standard of living in Dubai is quite high. The base salary of an employee is usually around AED 4000 as per the UAE Labour Law. A person earning below that cannot sponsor residence for his spouse and family. Keeping domestic help also requires a monthly salary of minimum AED 6000.

Regulations of the UAE Labour Law

It prescribes certain rules that have to be followed in order to work in the UAE. The law applies to all employees of the UAE, irrespective of whether they are nationals or expatriates. It does not apply to the staff of the federal government, members working in public services like municipalities and public or federal institutions, members of the armed forces, domestic servants and agricultural workers. Those working in the free zones maintain their independent employment contracts. The UAE Labour Law deals with issues related to employment contracts, wages, medical care, employment of women and juveniles, leave, penalties, safety of employees, employment related accidents, diseases and almost all aspects pertaining to the employment scene.

The law can be invoked in case of dissatisfaction on the part of either party involved (employer or employee). An expatriate must have an employment contract before he enters the UAE. All employment contracts are mandatory in Arabic. However, an employee could ask for a copy of the contract in English before he signs it. The employer or employee may either sign a fixed term contract or an unlimited term contract. A fixed term contract has a commencement and completion date and may be renewed, extended or terminated through mutual consent. An unlimited term contract has a commencement date but not a completion date. There are many implications of UAE Labour Law.

Know more about housing in Dubai

There are various areas where one can rent a house. Although living in Dubai is expensive, an employee, if he is single, can live on a share basis or in hotel apartments. If he wants to live with his family, he needs to rent a proper apartment, which can work out to be expensive. Only those with residence visas can rent houses in Dubai. Based on his employment, an employee can find housing in Dubai. An employee should keep in mind that his employer is not obliged to pay him any housing allowance. The UAE Labour Law does not provide for housing allowance. If a company chooses to pay a housing allowance to an employee, it is purely out of the choice of the employer and not under the law.