Overseas Employment: Considerations for Hiring in Dubai, UAE
Basic Country Information The United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly Dubai, boasts a rich cultural and historical background. Dubai, the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, is the wealthiest city among the seven emirates of the UAE. It is renowned for its unique modern architecture, thriving commerce, and diverse cultural life.
Employment Laws in Dubai Dubai has comprehensive employment laws aimed at safeguarding employee rights and promoting fair and ethical business practices. These laws cover aspects such as employment and termination, working hours, wages, health and safety, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, etc.
Key legal documents include the Labor Law, DIFC Employment Law, and ADGM Employment Regulations. In the UAE, labor contract legislation recognizes various types of employment contracts, such as fixed-term contracts, unlimited contracts, part-time contracts, full-time contracts, temporary contracts, etc.
Key Points of Employment Contracts Employment contracts in Dubai must be established in writing and clearly outline detailed terms and conditions of employment, including salary, benefits, working hours, and employment duration.
Tax Policies and Social Insurance In the UAE, personal income tax is tax-free, meaning employees receive their full salaries. Although the UAE does not mandate employers to provide social insurance for employees, many companies may choose to offer medical insurance or other benefits to employees.
Regarding salary payments, annual or monthly salaried employees should receive wages at least once a month, while other employees should receive wages at least once every two weeks. Although the UAE currently does not set a minimum wage standard, labor laws stipulate that wages must meet employees’ basic needs.
Working Hours and Overtime Regulations In Dubai, the workweek runs from Sunday to Thursday, with weekends on Friday and Saturday. Normal working hours are eight hours per day or forty-eight hours per week. During Ramadan, normal working hours should be reduced by two hours.
If employees need to work overtime, daily overtime hours should not exceed two hours unless necessary to prevent substantial loss or handle emergency situations. Overtime pay between 9:00 pm and 4:00 am is 150% of the normal hourly wage, while at other times, it is 125%. Holiday overtime pay is 150%.
Visa Categories In Dubai, there are various visa categories to choose from, including business visas, remote work visas, tourist visas, UAE resident retirement visas, investor visas, golden visas, employment visas, transit visas, student visas, and dependent visas.
Methods for Finding Dubai Talent If you’re looking to recruit local talent in Dubai, consider the following avenues:
Online Job Portals: Utilize online job platforms such as Bayt.com, GulfTalent, Naukrigulf, and Dubizzle to advertise job vacancies.
Employer of Record (EOR): Partner with an Employer of Record (EOR) service provider like Gonex Global HR Services to handle recruitment, payroll, tax, and compliance matters.
Referrals and Networking: Leverage personal networks or existing employees for referrals, as interpersonal relationships are highly valued in Dubai’s Arab culture.
