Labour Law

Labour Law in the United Arab Emirates governs the legal relationship between employers and employees, ensuring fair treatment, rights, and responsibilities for both parties. The current framework is outlined in Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, which replaced the previous law in early 2022. This law applies to all private-sector employees across the UAE, with some exceptions in free zones that have their own regulations (such as DIFC and ADGM).

The law covers a wide range of employment matters, including employment contracts, working hours, wages, leaves, end-of-service benefits, termination conditions, discrimination protections, and occupational health and safety. One of its major reforms is the introduction of fixed-term contracts, prohibition of forced labor, and strong emphasis on non-discrimination and equal pay.