Provisions for safety and health of workers

Article 36 of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations in the Private Sector, the ‘UAE Labour Law’ requires all firms to abide by the provisions contained in Federal Law No.13 of 2020 on Public Health and all resolutions and any other legislations issued for its implementation .

As per Public Health Law, Ministry of Health and Prevention, in cooperation and coordination with health and competent authorities shall develop and follow up on:

• the terms and conditions for ensuring the health and safety of workers at all work sites across the UAE
• an occupational health, safety and environmental management system and its periodic updates and ensuring employees’ compliance with it
• a tracking system for all cases of accidents, work injuries and occupational diseases
• the terms and conditions of health fitness for work.

Protection against injuries

Employers should provide their employees with suitable means of protection against injuries and dangers such as a fire which may result from the use of machinery or other work equipment and also against occupational diseases which may be contracted during work.

Employers shall display at a permanent and visible place at the work site, detailed instructions regarding the means of preventing fire and the means through which employees can protect themselves from hazards to which they might be exposed during work. These instructions shall be in Arabic, and if necessary, in other language/s which the employees understand.

Employers must keep a first aid kit containing medicines, bandages and other first aid material readily available.

Read more about workers' safety, protection and healthcare in Article 26 of the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations in the Private Sector.(PDF, 11 MB, Available only in Arabic)

Find out also key provisions on safety and health at workplace in the Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022 Regarding Occupational Health and Safety and Labour Accommodation ( PDF, 265 KB).

In case of an injury or death at workplace

According to Article 37 of the Labour Law, the compensation for death at work is equal to the basic wage of the worker for 24 months, provided that the amount of compensation is not less than AED 18,000 and more than AED 200,000.

The amount of compensation is calculated on the basis of the last wage received by the worker prior to his death.

Read about what to do in case of an injury or death at workplace.

Mid-day break rule for workers under the sun

Construction and industrial workers are not permitted to work during the hottest hours of the day during the summer. Any firm found to have staff working during the designated break time would be fined AED 5,000 per worker up to a maximum of AED 50,000.

Insurance

In the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, employers in both the public and private sectors are required to provide insurance to their employees. However, in the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman, government employers are required to provide insurance to their employees.

Read about insurance in the health section.

Medical check-up

Prohibition of alcohol on work premises

Working in remote areas

Every employer who employs staff in remote areas that are not served by public means of transportation must provide his employees with the following services:

• suitable transportation
• suitable accommodation
• suitable drinking water
• suitable food
• first aid services
• means of entertainment and sports activities.

All the above services apart from food material will be on the employer's account.