Khaleej Times, Tuesday, Jan 10, 2023 | Jamadi Al Thani 17, 1444
Protecting workers' legal rights: UAE judicial authorities spread awareness about new labour law
Emirates:
Thousands of workers in Abu Dhabi have been educated about their legal rights in
an awareness campaign launched to educate the public about the new labour law.
As part of its expanded outreach campaign, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
(ADJD) conducted lectures in labour camps in the emirate to increase legal
literacy among workers.
The following are nine topics which were identified as areas to be covered in
the awareness campaign:
1. Workers' right to health insurance
2. Mandatory unemployment insurance
3. Verifying and cross-checking terms and conditions of signed job offer with
employment contract
4. Signing contract after arrival in the country (Contracts must be translated
into a language the worker can understand, and the employer must bear
recruitment, travel expenses)
5. What to do if salary is not paid on time
6. Right to leave the job
7. How to lodge complaints through legal channels
8. Avoiding resorting to chaos and rioting
9. Respecting the law while expressing dissatisfaction
The campaign also seeks to raise awareness of the worker's obligations under the
new labour law. The work must be performed by the worker himself under the
direction and supervision of the employer or his representative after the
employment contract has been signed. Occupational safety and health instructions
must be followed and the worker must take care of any tools he uses.
Work cannot be subcontracted to another person. Workers were also asked not to
keep documents relevant to the work in paper or electronic form, to maintain
good conduct, to refrain from disclosing professional secrets, and to work to
raise their level of performance.
The campaign also covers how to change employers and obtain a new work permit.