Khaleej Times, Thursday, Jan 05, 2023 | Jamadi Al Thani 12, 1444
UAE announces new rules on workplace accidents, injuries and compensation
Emirates:
Employers in the country are now obligated to treat and compensate an injured
worker for any work-related injury or illness after the Ministry of Human
Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issued a new decision on Tuesday detailing
the procedures dealing with workplace injuries.
The resolution intends to regulate how establishments with 50 or more employees
deal with workplace accidents and illnesses, and states that organisations have
to develop a mechanism to track such incidents.
The decision outlines procedures for recording workplace incidents in a
database. This system should keep track of all work-related illnesses and
injuries, as well as any preventive measures and rehabilitation programmes
implemented for employees involved in hazardous activities. It should also
define all activities that pose a threat to the health and safety of workers.
An employer is obligated to treat and compensate an injured worker for any
work-related illness or injury. The value of the work injury compensation is
calculated based on the worker's most recent basic salary. The worker receives
compensation after the release of the medical report indicating the percentage
of impairment within a maximum of 10 days.
If the work injury or illness results in the worker’s death, the compensation is
paid to his or her legal heirs in accordance with the country’s laws, or in
accordance with what the person decides before passing away.
If a worker sustains a partial disability as a result of an occupational
illness, or injury, the worker will be compensated with a portion of the value
of permanent complete disability, in accordance with the percentages outlined in
the Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022.
A specialised medical committee will decide whether there is a complete or
partial disability in both circumstances, and the amount of compensation due to
the worker in the event of a permanent complete disability is equal to the
amount due in the event of death.
For example, if the worker’s basic salary was Dh1,000 and the partial disability
percentage was 25 percent, the compensation would be as follows: 25 per cent of
partial disability multiplied by the basic wage for 24 months results in
Dh6,000.
Before the injured or ill worker receives all benefits, the employer shall not
end the working relationship and cancel the contract.
Additionally, all rights will be safeguarded in accordance with the report
provided by the relevant committee if the employee decides to terminate the
employment agreement prior to the release of the medical report.
Ways to report accidents
The ministry offers a number of ways to report any occupational ailment or
accident, including calling the call centre at (600) 590-000, visiting
businessmen service centres, or through the ministry's smart applications.
This procedure is under the purview of the employer, who is obliged to input
information about the company, the injured employee, the date and severity of
the injury, a brief account of the accident’s circumstances, and first aid and
treatment protocols. The report is automatically included in the national system
for work injuries.
The resolution also clarifies that the affected establishments must find ways to
develop a report from the medical committees indicating the percentage of
disability in the event of injury, provide a record of the frequency and dates
of workers’ examinations, keep a record of workers exposed to occupational
hazards for a period of at least five years after the end of their service, and
provide the worker with proof of their period of employment in the
establishment.