Recruitment Dubai

LABOUR LAWS IN DUBAI

Before a foreign national can work in a company in the UAE they need approval from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and an Employment Visa or Permit from the Immigration Department.

The Employment Visa or Permit is valid for a period of two months and enables the holder to enter the UAE once for a period of thirty days. As soon as an employee has this the sponsoring company should arrange their residence stamping.

The Health Department also needs to issue a medical certificate. As soon as this is received (and within 30 days of the employee entering the UAE), an application for a Labour Card must be made to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Next the application is submitted to the Immigration Department for stamping the residency on the employee's passport. All of the above must be completed within sixty days of arrival in the UAE.

There are ten national holidays each year, many of which have no set dates and change annually according to the moon. National Day is fixed and is always in December. If an important UAE or Arab leader dies it is not unusual for government offices, educational institutions and some private companies to observe national periods of mourning which can least for several days.

Employees can expect to receive two days annual leave for every month worked if employed for between six and twelve months, or 30 days if the period of service exceeds one year.

The maximum working hours are 8 per day or 48 hours per week except during the holy month of Ramadan when they are reduced by two hours per day. If you work in the retail, hotel and restaurant trades you may be asked to work a 9 hour day. In Muslim countries Friday is the weekly day of rest so the weekend tends to be on Friday and Saturday.

There is no minimum wage and salaries are generally divided into basic wages and allowances, which may include subsidies for accommodation, car, travel and education. Termination of service gratuities/payments are calculated on the basic salary, not the total package. Additional payments are made to lower paid staff if overtime is worked.

Strikes are forbidden here and trade unions do not existence. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will act as an adjudicator when a dispute arises. If an appeal is lodged then the case is taken to court for settlement.