A new directive has been issued by the UAE government lifting a three-year cap on the duration of fixed-term employment contracts in the private sector, in an update to new labour laws brought into force in February.
Under the new amendments, employment contracts must cover a defined term but the law will no longer set a cap on how long the contract can be.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said contracts can be renewed as long as both parties agree to the conditions.
This amendment aims to protect both parties, advance the labour market’s growth and enhance the UAE’s economic competitiveness, said officials.
Sweeping changes to labour legislation first announced in November set out that work contracts could not exceed a period of three years.
Any indefinite contracts were to be changed to fixed-term agreements that could be renewed, in line with the Federal Decree-Law No 33 of 2021, ordered by the late Sheikh Khalifa.
Under the amended legislation — established by Federal Decree-Law No 14 of 2022 — employment contracts must cover a defined term, agreed on by an employer and employee, but “the law does not set a cap on that period”.
“The UAE government continues to develop regulations and laws that align with what the next 50 years of UAE’s development demand,” said Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
“The laws and regulations support our business environment’s stability and improve its resiliency and attractiveness.
“These regulations follow the UAE’s advanced developmental model and its fundamentals and principles that are built on justice, respecting human rights and staying ahead of changes. This guarantees the UAE’s continued progress, stability and pioneering stature.”
“The new amendments create an advanced ecosystem of mechanisms that boost the ease of doing business, productivity and resilience within the labour market while amplifying its attractiveness to the business owners and talents.”
Increasing job security
The move will pave the way for businesses and workers to agree on longer-term contractual arrangements, providing further stability.
The amended law governs employment relations in the private sector.
This covers employees in free zones and mainland companies, with the exception of the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
The rules do not apply to employees in the public sector and domestic workers.
“The amendment aims to protect both parties in a balanced way; [it] advances the labour market’s growth and stability, and enhances the UAE’s economic competitiveness,” the ministry said.
The labour rules introduced in February overhauled the private sector work landscape, allowing for more flexible working for employees and less red tape for businesses.
The changes affected 4.9 million employees as legislation approved in late 2021 replaced a law first drafted in 1980.
Further provisions brought in earlier this year aimed to make it easier for companies to hire people for part-time work and allow for job shares.
Employers can now offer those aged 15 and above part-time paid work — as well as valuable experience in the workplace.
UAE labour laws — in pictures
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
