UAE: What is needed for a competitive work environment?

New reforms and law announcements have been rolling in a batch of changes to the UAE labor law last week, in a step to "create a flexible and competitive work environment" according to the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization. What are the highlights of these new changes? and what is needed for a practically competitive employment environment??

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On November 19, The UAE announced a list of labor law reforms for private sector employers and employees; a new labor law titled the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021. This law will come into effect on February 2, 2022 to regulate professional rights within the workplace. Some of the reforms have been previously announced, while some are new. Here’s what people are saying .?

In addition to full time contracts, which has been the default in the country, residents can now have part-time, temporary and flexible work, where they can work for more than one employer at the same time. The new option allows for temporary work on a project-basis, as well as for specific days/hours during the week.?

Two more work model options include a “condensed work week,” when an employee can choose to finish their assigned weekly hours of work in less days, and a “shared” job model in which two people can share the same work on a project and split the pay, both need an agreement with the employer.??

Would you consider taking on more than one job next year? Join the conversation on vote in this poll .

While the UAE has announced equal pay in the workplace between men and women last year, the new law explicitly states that employers are prohibited from hiring on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, nationality, or disability that might weaken an equal opportunity.?

“No specific or additional remedies have been introduced for discrimination; however, employers may be liable for fines ranging between AED 5,000 and AED 1,000,000 for breaches of the New Labour Law (these are not payable to affected employees).” Yasmine Naja and Neil Crossley , employment law experts at legal information provider Lexology wrote .?

The new law includes new options for paid leaves and an extension to parental leave, including:?

• A “study leave” which is a 10-day paid leave option per year for employees who have been working for the same employer for two years.?
• A “mourning leave” of three to five days.
• Maternity leave can be extended from 45 days to 60 days, but the extra 15 days will be on half pay. With extension options in case of health needs.?
• Parental leave of five days that can apply to both new mothers and fathers.

As the regulations that will oversee these changes are in the works, what do you think is needed to ensure the working environment is fair and competitive? How can employers build on these reforms to support their employees and businesses? Share your thoughts in the comments below.????

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• Insights for employers on the new UAE labor law. Read more .