Understanding Employee Benefits and Rights in the UAE Workplace

Working in the UAE comes with some perks beyond your salary. Let’s explore some of the benefits you might be entitled to as an employee.

Healthcare

By law, your employer must provide you with basic health insurance coverage. They can’t deduct the cost from your paycheck. This usually doesn’t cover your family, but everyone in the UAE needs health insurance.

Job Security Measures

There are a couple of programs to help you if you lose your job:

• Taa-meen Insurance: This is an alternative to employers putting down a bank deposit when hiring you.
• Unemployment Insurance: Emiratis and residents (both public and private sector) can get financial help if they lose their job.

End-of-Service Benefits

When you leave a company, you might get some extra cash:

• UAE Nationals: You get a pension and end-of-service benefits.
• Expats: If you’ve worked for at least a year, you get a gratuity payment based on your salary.

Safe Work Environment

Your employer is required to provide a safe workplace. Construction and industrial workers even get breaks during the hottest parts of the summer day.

Your Rights in the Workplace

The UAE labor law protects you from discrimination based on gender and ensures equal pay for equal work.

• Non-compete Clauses: These can limit where you can work after leaving a job, but they can’t be too strict.
• Disciplinary Action: Employers can discipline you for breaking the rules, but the punishment must fit the crime.
• Termination: Both you and your employer can end the employment contract with proper notice. There are also specific reasons that allow termination without notice.
• Unfair Dismissal: If you think you’ve been fired unfairly, you can complain to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)