In brief The long-awaited Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on Regulation of Labour Relations (the “New Labour Law”) is among a number of new legal developments introduced recently in the UAE. Over the course of the last few weeks we have also seen significant changes to the Data Protection and e-Transactions Laws, and of course, the change to the UAE weekend which has attracted significant attention worldwide. On Tuesday, 7 December 2021, the UAE Government…
In brief In a significant development, the National Council for Wages has finally set the long awaited salary thresholds applicable to the private sector: Minimum wage: EGP 2400 per monthMinimum annual salary increase: 3% per year These changes which are implemented by virtue of decree No. 57 of 2021 will apply as of 1 January 2022. What has changed? Effective January 2022: All companies must ensure that their employees receive no less than EGP 2,400…
In brief Recent developments in the labour laws of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have been issued to bridge the gender- pay gap between men and women. The updates have been in relation to: (i) prohibiting discrimination, whether in pay or otherwise, between male and female employees who carry out the same job in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain; (ii) introducing paternity leave in the UAE; and (iii) granting female…
On 25 May 2020, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, has announced the gradual reopening of business activities in Dubai and removal of all movement restrictions between 6:00 am and 11:00 pm, as of 27 May 2020. The sectors allowed to resume activities include retail and wholesale outlets, airports, clinics, educational and training institutions, sports academies, cinemas, entertainment and leisure attractions,…
As the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, businesses are facing weakened financial markets, disruption to workplace operations, and economic uncertainty. We have seen unprecedented measures taken by the UAE to prevent the spread of the disease including mandatory work from home instructions and business shut downs. However, there has been uncertainty as to what steps an employer can take to mitigate the impact of the virus while protecting the rights…