Up to Dhs1 million fine for violating employment regulations

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree-Law amending specific provisions of the Federal Decree-Law on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the labour market.

The Decree stipulates that a fine ranging from Dhs100,000 to Dhs1,000,000 will be imposed on anyone who employs a worker without a proper work permit or brings a worker without providing them with a job, closes a business without settling the dues of the workers, engages in any act of circumvention of the laws or regulations governing the labour market, including fictitious employment, and employs a minor in violation of the law.

Pursuant to the Federal Decree-Law, the penalty mentioned will multiply based on the number of workers fictitiously employed.

Disputes should be referred to the Court of First Instance if there is disagreement with the decision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in resolving the dispute, the Decree states.