[UAE] Details of new labour complaints process

Workers in the UAE’s private sector will have a faster and easier resolution to their labour disputes with an amendment to the UAE’s Labour Law coming into effect from January 1, 2024, Gulf News reports.

A December 18 announcement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) stated that the new legislation - Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023 - will replace Article 54 of the UAE’s Labour Law Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. 

Under the new law, the Ministry will reportedly issue the final executive decisions on labour disputes with claims of less than Dh50,000 for companies and workers in the private sector.

“The new process aims to save customers’ time and effort, streamline procedures and expedite the process for claimants to collect their legal entitlements,” MOHRE said in the announcement.

Changes for 2024

Before the amendment, if an employee or employer reached out to MOHRE with a complaint, the Ministry would first attempt an amicable resolution between the two parties. If an amicable resolution was not reached, the case would be referred to a competent court. Now, with the amendment, MOHRE has the authority to render a final judgment on any dispute under the following conditions:

•  if the claim amount is under Dh50,000;
• or on disputes related to non-commitment to amicable settlement decisions previously resolved by MOHRE, regardless of the claimed amount.

Article 1 (3) of the new law states that, while MOHRE has the authority to issue a decision on the disputes as per Articles 1 and 2, if either party is dissatisfied with the judgement, they can file a lawsuit through the Court of Appeals. This should be done within 15 working days of the decision.

If the application for labour disputes fails to follow the procedures stated in Article 1 of Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023, the lawsuit will be rejected by the court.

The Court of Appeals will reportedly schedule a hearing within three days and the case will be resolved within 15 working days, as per Article 1 (3) of the new law.

Source: Gulf News

Workers in the UAE’s private sector will have a faster and easier resolution to their labour disputes with an amendment to the UAE’s Labour Law coming into effect from January 1, 2024, Gulf News reports.

A December 18 announcement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) stated that the new legislation - Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023 - will replace Article 54 of the UAE’s Labour Law Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. 

Under the new law, the Ministry will reportedly issue the final executive decisions on labour disputes with claims of less than Dh50,000 for companies and workers in the private sector.

“The new process aims to save customers’ time and effort, streamline procedures and expedite the process for claimants to collect their legal entitlements,” MOHRE said in the announcement.

Changes for 2024

Before the amendment, if an employee or employer reached out to MOHRE with a complaint, the Ministry would first attempt an amicable resolution between the two parties. If an amicable resolution was not reached, the case would be referred to a competent court. Now, with the amendment, MOHRE has the authority to render a final judgment on any dispute under the following conditions:

•  if the claim amount is under Dh50,000;
• or on disputes related to non-commitment to amicable settlement decisions previously resolved by MOHRE, regardless of the claimed amount.

Article 1 (3) of the new law states that, while MOHRE has the authority to issue a decision on the disputes as per Articles 1 and 2, if either party is dissatisfied with the judgement, they can file a lawsuit through the Court of Appeals. This should be done within 15 working days of the decision.

If the application for labour disputes fails to follow the procedures stated in Article 1 of Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023, the lawsuit will be rejected by the court.

The Court of Appeals will reportedly schedule a hearing within three days and the case will be resolved within 15 working days, as per Article 1 (3) of the new law.

Source: Gulf News