UAE Labour Law

Labour matters in the UAE are governed by Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 Regulating Labour Relations as amended by Federal Laws No. 24 of 1981, No.15 of 1985 and No.12 of 1986 (the “Law”). There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE, such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone.

According to Article 3 of the Law, the Law applies to all staff and employees working in the UAE, whether UAE nationals or expatriates. 

People exempted from Law

However, there are certain categories of individuals who are exempted from the Labour Law as listed below:

• Staff and workers employed by the federal government
• Government departments of the member emirates
• the municipalities
• public bodies
• federal and local public institutions 
• and those staff and workers employed in federal and local governmental projects.
• Members of the armed forces, police and security units.
• Domestic servants.
• Agricultural workers and persons engaged in grazing (this exemption does not include persons who are employed in corporations which process agricultural products and/or those who are permanently engaged in the operation or repair of machines required for agriculture).

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