In a move aimed at enhancing contractual relationships between employers and employees, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced the provision of a new awareness package. This package is designed for employers and highlights the legal rights and obligations that contribute to creating a stable and balanced work environment. This effort aims to achieve a national vision that emphasizes the importance of balance in the contractual relationship, thereby increasing productivity and supporting professional development in the country.
Employee Leave According to the Labor Regulation Law
The Labor Regulation Law No. 33 of 2021 specifies seven types of leave that employees in the private sector are entitled to. These leaves include annual leave, sick leave, study leave, parental leave, bereavement leave, national service leave, and maternity leave for female employees. By providing this awareness package, the ministry seeks to ensure that employers are fully aware of these rights.
Details of Various Leaves
The awareness materials in the package state that employees are entitled to annual leave with full pay of no less than 30 days for each year of service. If an employee’s service ends before utilizing their annual leave balance, they are entitled to leave for parts of the last year they spent working. Female employees are entitled to maternity leave of 60 days, with full pay for the first 45 days and half pay for the subsequent 15 days.
Other Leaves and End-of-Service Benefits
The package also clarifies employees’ rights to other types of leave, such as a five-day bereavement leave in the event of the death of a spouse. Additionally, employees are entitled to study leave of 10 days to sit for examinations at accredited educational institutions. After one year of continuous service, foreign employees are entitled to an end-of-service benefit of 21 days for each of the first five years of service and 30 days for each additional year.
Compliance with Minimum Wage
Employers must specify the monthly wage in the employment contract and adhere to the agreed-upon payment schedule. Employees are also entitled to official leave with full pay on holidays designated by the government, with an obligation for compensation in case of work during those holidays. These measures aim to ensure the rights of employees and enhance contractual relationships in accordance with applicable laws.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation emphasizes through this initiative the importance of providing a stable and safe work environment, which supports professional growth and enhances productivity for companies and the community at large.