Immigrant workers

The UAE has ratified major International Labour Organization's conventions related to the rights of workers and has adopted numerous laws to protect workers' rights especially in the areas of recruitment, pay, housing and health.

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launches many awareness campaigns to educate labourers about their rights. One of these campaigns was initiated under the slogan 'Know your rights'.

Workers can file a labour complaint to MoHRE through the following channels:

• MoHRE’s website
• the MoHRE app available on Google Play and App Store
• phone 04-665 9999.

Both, the employers and the workers can call on the same number to get legal advice.

The UAE has introduced a new standard employment contract and requested the employers to abide by fully. This contract is mandatory to finalise the employment procedures and it applies to workers coming from outside and those residing in the UAE, as well.

Further, the UAE Government launched new laws that enable workers to move freely between employers. It also reevaluated every aspect of working in the country from recruitment to housing. Reforms are made to ensure that all workers are treated respectfully and able to report instances of maltreatment easily.

The UAE has implemented a number of measures to provide protection and assistance specifically to domestic workers. Some of the measures include:

• a standard form of contract that specifies the rights and obligations of each party
• flexibility for domestic workers to change employers
• awareness-raising initiatives to inform domestic workers of their rights.

Read more about how the UAE provides a fair job market and protects labour rights.

Domestic workers

The UAE Government provides specific services for the benefit of domestic workers. Services range from providing dedicated services centres to offering online platform for raising queries and complaints. Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers (PDF, 806 KB) regulates the recruitment and employment of domestic workers in the UAE. 

It prohibits the following:

• the employment of anyone under the age 18
• discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion and nationality
• sexual harassment, whether verbal or physical
• forced labour or trafficking
• exposure to physical harm
• assignment of tasks that are not covered under the contract.

Read more about the employment of domestic workers.

The poor

Those who are financially backward, are eligible to receive monthly social assistance from the Government. Find links to online services for the poor:

• Ministry of Community Development
• General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
• Zakat Fund
• Community Development Authority
• Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi
• Department of Social Services, Sharjah.

According to Federal Law No. 2 of 2001, monthly assistance is provided to:

• Widows
• Divorcees
• Disabled
• Elderly
• Orphans
• Children from unknown parents
• Medically unfit persons
• Married students
• Families of prisoners
• Financially unfit
• Abandoned women
• UAE national females married to expatriate husbands who cannot earn a living for reasons beyond their control.

The UAE provides high-quality education and plenty of job opportunities in the knowledge-driven economy of the UAE. It undertakes many efforts to maintain the standard of high-quality education and provide a fair job market. It ensures that citizens and residents are capable of earning a decent livelihood and enjoy quality life in the UAE.

The UAE aims to promote an inclusive environment that integrates all segments of society while preserving the UAE's unique culture, heritage and traditions and reinforces social and family cohesion.

Read more about how the UAE reduces poverty through education, jobs, social support and financing businesses.

Read the UN's 2030 Agenda for more information on how the UAE supports and cares for its society.