Dubai: Three new decrees, which go into effect beginning of next year, will promote the transition to a knowledge-based economy while meeting international labour standards, the Minister of Labour, Saqr Ghobash, revealed on Saturday.
Ghobash said that the stability the “Labour market is a reflection of the stability of the working relationship between both employers and employees, something which is expected to be reinforced by the transparency of the unified contracts. Workers will also be able to shift to other firms at any time while preserving their rights, all in accordance to regulations set forth, enhancing market mobility and flexibility.”
The Minister of Labour put forth his statement while meeting over 300 ministry employees and legal scholars to review and discuss the upcoming decrees, in the presence of Mubarak Saeed Al Dahiri, Ministry Undersecretary and Humaid Rashid Bin Deemas Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs and Dr Omar Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Policies and Strategy Affairs.
“Labour rights is one of the most vital issues of concern. Maintaining rights is definitely a core value, following the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to be the ‘Number One’ nation globally,” Ghobash said.
“The three resolutions are in line with the UAE 2021 vision of creating a stable labour market and a workforce to promote a competitive knowledge-based economy that revolves around UAE citizens, including an emphasis on providing better protection to workers’ rights,” he said.
The minister expressed confidence in government employees and their ability to properly implement the new decisions to achieve marked objectives. Similarly, efforts by legal scholars have not gone unnoticed, the ministry stated that they handle labour disputes fairly and work endlessly to find amicable solutions to preserve their rights.
On the sidelines of the meeting, a workshop was held by his Al Suwaidi to explain texts of each of the three new decrees and implementation procedures.
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The first decree requires employee signature preceding a contract renewal to obtain a new work permit, something which will be hereby terminate procedures currently implemented to renew work permits after only receiving a notification through the employer stating that both ends agreed to renew the contract, stating all privileges and requirements enclosed in the contract to be renewed.
Workers, under the new procedures, shall enjoy better options of either accepting to renew the contract according to marked privileges and stipulated requirements in the new contract, or amend these privileges and conditions upon agreement by both parties, which actively contributes to promoting a strong working relationship. On the other hand, employees are able to completely end the contract and search for alternatives or return back home.
The second decree, points six cases of labour contract termination for fixed-term contracts and four cases for non-term contracts.
Additionally, the third decree regards terms and conditions of granting new work permits to workers who choose to end a working relationship with their employers.
