New UAE Labour Law 2022: Everything you need to know

Rules will cover annual leave, public holidays, gratuities and much more – and they come into effect from February 2


On Wednesday February 2, there will be the biggest overhaul of the UAE labour law since 1980.

From new rules around employment types and flexible working, to laws setting out additional leave types and addressing discrimination, some major changes are imminent.

Ultimately, the new rules are aimed at ensuring more flexibility for employees.

The new UAE labour law applies to both public and private sector workers.

As with any change, there’s been a lot of speculation around the UAE labour law for 2022.

But don’t worry, Time Out is here to help clear a few things up.

Will you get more annual leave? Can you work from home? Is part time work allowed?

Read on to find out.

The announcement of Executive Regulations from the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) www.mohre.gov.ae/en/home.aspx will add much more detail to the new labour laws, their roll out and how they impact us all.

This is expected in February.

Companies are likely to be given a year to implement the changes.

While we wait for the new announcements, at Time Out we’ve had a look into what you need to know right now before the new labour laws come into effect on February 2.

With the help of Sarah Brooks, managing director and owner at Fikrah HR fikrahhr.com, here’s a handy guide to the new UAE labour laws.

This article is based on information available currently and the best available translations of Arabic, with updates to the new legislation still to be announced and published.

Further review and approvals of the new UAE labour law and its practical roll out is expected over the next few weeks, so do keep checking back for updates.

Here are all your questions answered.

When were the new UAE labour laws announced?

The laws were first documented on September 20, 2021 and announced to the public on November 15, 2021.

When will the laws come into place?

The UAE labour laws come into effect from Wednesday February 2, 2022.

Why is the new UAE labour law coming into place?

The new laws are aimed at ensuring more flexibility in the employment market.

What are the most important changes to look out for?

There are many changes with some of the important ones being around employment types and flexible working, contract types, and additional leave types.

You can also expect more detail around stopping discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace, and around recruitment.

What’s happening with a minimum wage for the UAE?

So far, all we know is that a minimum wage is to be determined and announced by the cabinet following a proposal by the MOHRE in collaboration with the relevant authorities. The minimum wage will be applicable to private sector employees.

How much annual leave will we get from Feb 2, 2022?

It appears that there’s no increase to the number of days of annual leave; it’s still two days per month for the first year and then 30 days per year from then onwards.

The changes are that you can now legally request paid annual leave during your probation period and that for any annual leave you take you must be paid your full salary (previously by law you had to be paid only your basic and housing.)

Does this annual leave allowance include UAE public holidays?

Good news right here. The amendment states that UAE public holidays are additional to annual leave but if they happen to fall within your annual leave then they are considered part of the leave.

What about part time workers – how are they affected when it comes to annual leave?

The UAE labour law amendments detail new rules with regards to different categories of work types being; full time, part time, timed work and flexible working.

Exactly what these rules will be will be covered within the Executive Regulations.

What changes are there to maternity leave?

Maternity leave has been changed for the better – pregnant women are now protected from termination due to pregnancy or absence as a result of pregnancy within the terms of Article 30 of the new law. Additionally, pregnant women are now entitled to 45 days at full pay and a further 15 days with half pay.

Another change – there is no reduction in pay for maternity leave if you’ve been in your job for less than a year. You will still get full salary and eligibility for maternity leave as long as your pregnancy lasted at least six months while in your job. The daily rest period after returning to work is still in place but only for six months.

What about paternity leave?

New fathers can take five working days with pay, which can be taken continuously or intermittently within the first six months after the birth of the child.

Can we now claim compassionate leave?

You can indeed. The new UAE labour law includes compassionate leave in the case of bereavement. This will be either

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