MOHRE releases new employment guide

At a glance

• The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued guidance on seven types of leave for private-sector employees.
• Key entitlements include 30 days of paid annual leave; 60 days of maternity leave (45 full pay, 15 half pay); and up to 90 days of sick leave (15 full pay, 30 half pay, remainder unpaid).
• The guide also outlines wage regulations; public holiday compensation; and end-of-service benefits for expatriates, calculated based on years of service and final basic wage.

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has released a detailed employer guide outlining workers' rights and leave entitlements under the Labour Law. It specifies seven categories of leave available to private-sector employees:

• Annual leave: Workers are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave for each year of service, while new parents can take five working days of leave within six months of their child's birth.
• Sick leave: Sick leave allowances are up to 90 days annually, structured as 15 days at full pay, 30 days at half pay, and the remainder unpaid.
• Study leave: Educational leave includes ten working days of study leave for workers enrolled in UAE-accredited institutions.
• Maternity leave: Maternity provisions include 60 days of leave for female workers, with 45 days at full pay followed by 15 days at half pay.
• Parental leave.
• Bereavement leave: Five days for the death of a spouse and three days for immediate family members.
• Leave for undertaking national service.

The guidance toolkit additionally clarifies end-of-service benefits, with expatriate workers entitled to 21 days' basic wage for each of the first five years and 30 days for subsequent years, calculated on their final basic wage.

The document also addresses wage regulations, requiring payment in UAE dirhams unless otherwise specified, and outlines compensation requirements for public holiday work.