What Laws Protect the Rights of Foreign Workers in the UAE?
Foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are protected by several laws and regulations that guarantee their fundamental rights. Here are some key laws that protect foreign workers in the UAE:
- The Labour Regulation Law (No. 8 of 1980): This law sets out the rights and obligations of employers and workers in the UAE, including provisions related to employment contracts, working hours, paid leave, and minimum wages.
- The Social Security Law (No. 6 of 1999): This law ensures social security coverage for registered foreign workers in the UAE, including contributions for pensions, healthcare, and sickness or injury benefits.
- The Occupational Health and Safety Law (No. 1 of 2017): This law requires employers to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all workers, including foreign workers, by establishing standards for health and safety practices.
- The Domestic Workers’ Rights Protection Law (No. 10 of 2017): This law protects the rights of domestic workers, including foreign workers, by setting standards for employment contracts, working hours, leave, and wages.
- The Sponsorship System Decree (No. 89 of 2017): This decree governs the sponsorship system in the UAE, which ties foreign workers to their employer and regulates the transfer of workers between companies.
It is important to note that despite the existence of these laws and regulations, there may be issues of non-compliance and non-respect of the rights of foreign workers in the UAE. It is therefore important for foreign workers to know their rights and report any violations to their employer, the police, or the relevant authorities.