UAE: Ministerial Decision No. 31 of 2018 Regarding the Introduction of the Part-Time Work Contract System

Date of adoption

21 January 2018

Entry into force

01 March 2018

Text versions

Arabic

English

Source:

– Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, United Arab Emirates, accessed: 06 September 2018, http://www.mohre.gov.ae/ar/laws-legislation/announcements.aspx

– Legal AdviceMiddle East, accessed: 06 September 2018, https://legaladviceme.com/legislation/154/uae-ministerial-decision-31-2018-new-employment-system-under-part-time-contracts

Abstract

This decision establishes a new system for part-time contracts, which allows employers to recruit employees, classified as skilled workers levels 1 and 2 (Art. 2).

In accordance with Article 3, under this new part-time system the employee may:

a. Work for the original employer for less than 8 hours a day or less than 48 hours per week, and in all situations his working hours shall not be less than 20 hours per week.

b. Work for more than one employer at the same time without acquiring the approval of the original employer or any other employer s/he is employed by.

Article 4 lists the obligations of the employee.

Article 5 prohibits the employer from: demanding that the employee work for more hours without his written agreement; and stopping the employee from working for another establishment, which performs similar work to his under the pretext of non-competition or non-disclosure, unless a judicial order has been issued to that effect.