Changes to the UAE Labor Law

There will be heavy penalties for stopping employment on a visit visa

Changes to the UAE’s labor law will introduce hefty fines to prevent firms from hiring visitor visa holders. According to Khaleej Times, legal experts say that an amendment to the UAE’s labor law last week will prevent employers from hiring visitors visa holders, punishable by fines of between 100,000 and 1,000,000 dirhams. These include employing workers without proper permits, bringing them to the UAE or failing to provide them with employment.
The UAE government clearly states that it is illegal to work under a visit or tourist visa. Can work only after issuance of offer letter by Emirates (MOHRE).

Ali Saeed Al Kaabi, director of ECH Digital, said, “Earlier the fines for hiring workers without a work permit ranged from AED 50,000 to AED 200,000, now the new range is AED 100,000 to AED 1 million. Reflecting the government’s seriousness in protection, these amendments will ensure the legality of employment practices as some employers promise to grant residence and work permits to visit visa holders after their tourist permits expire. do work, many of them do not get paid for the work done during this period”.

“Some visitors are mistreated with a guarantee of a job offer and are asked to leave after their visit visa expires,” the federal government’s decision said. will be significantly deterred and ensure that labor laws are followed, now if a company is found to be violating the law, it will face huge risks and legal consequences”.
Hadeel Hussain, senior associate at BSA Ahmed Bin Hizim & Associates, explained, “The amendments create a tougher regulatory environment for employers and demand greater compliance with labor law, substantially increasing fines for criminal offences. With the possibility of penalties acting as a strong deterrent against non-compliance with labor law, the amendments make it clear that any violation of labor regulations will have serious consequences, thereby increasing employer accountability”.
He said, “Amendments related to small employment claims and involvement of MOHRE ensure more effective, equitable and streamlined legal process for both employees and employers, better role of the ministry in mediating disputes and less The ability to issue enforceable judgments in value claims and disputes ensures that employment disputes can be resolved more quickly and efficiently with lower legal costs”.