The Benefits of the Employees

Benefits given to employees by the UAE Labour Law or defined by it include salaries, Weekly Holidays, Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Annual paid salary, end-of-service benefits, residence visa, medical insurance, etc. 30 days of annual paid vacation is the right of the employee. The criteria for paying salary during annual leave can be found in our other blogs. Let’s cut to the chase: the employer has to pay for 30 days of annual paid leave.

It is the employee’s right under the UAE Labour Law. It comes close to 22 working days. As far as sick leaves are concerned, during the probation period, you are not paid for sick leaves. Once you complete the probation period, you will have to be paid for the first 15 Days. Employees must provide a certificate showing that they were sick or unable to join the office. Such a certificate is provided by the clinic or hospital where the employee has consulted a doctor or medical practitioner. Women are also entitled to maternity leave.

We recommend checking with Lawyers & Legal Consultants to get the latest information on the total number of paid leaves, the total number of leaves allowed, the total number of unpaid leaves, etc. The employer cannot fire the employee when she is on maternity leave. Muslim employees can also take leave for the Hajj, but note that these leaves are unpaid.

If you think that the termination has been based on a wrongful decision, then you may claim the 3 months’ salary as compensation, which is a provision provided by the UAE Labour Law. An employee can avail of it by requesting through the Court or requesting an amicable settlement. He needs to have worked for more than 1 year, which makes him eligible to request 3 months’ salary in compensation. Emirati Law Firms and their team of Labour & Employment Lawyers are the best options for legal advice and expert opinion, or for hiring them for a Court Case.

UAE Labour Law requires that every employee be provided with Medical Insurance by the employer. If he is not, then he can contact the MOHRE or the relevant departments. Similarly, the employer cannot charge the VISA fee nor retain the employee’s passport.

The employee has the right to take the action if he is forced to submit his passport to the employer. This is set out in the UAE Labour Law, which cannot be changed or challenged. The employee should not be forced by the employer, and should not breach his or her obligations as an employee, which he or she must perform under the UAE Labour Law. Employees are strictly prohibited from forming Unions in the UAE.

The UAE Government and the UAE Labour Law protect employees’ interests; therefore, employees are not allowed to form unions. Though this is allowed in other parts of the world, we believe there is no need for such practices in the UAE, where laws protect human rights, labour rights, and interests. As we recommend always, one should consult the lawyers and get legal advice first, before making up one’s mind.