Abu Dhabi: The UAE has taken significant steps to enhance the protection of job seekers and ensure fair recruitment practices by tightening its labor laws. These changes aim to prevent companies from exploiting individuals who arrive in the country on visit or tourist visas, particularly by offering them work under false pretenses.
Hefty Fines
Under the newly amended labour laws, companies in the UAE that employ individuals without proper work permits will now face substantial fines ranging from AED 100,000 to AED 1 million. These measures have been introduced to crack down on illegal employment practices and ensure that all workers have the legal right to work in the country.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has made it clear that individuals on visit or tourist visas are strictly prohibited from working in the UAE. Job seekers must obtain a valid employment visa issued by MOHRE before commencing work.
Fair Recruitment
The updated legislation reflects the UAE government’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and fostering a compliant business environment. Employers are now expressly prohibited from hiring individuals or bringing them into the country without providing guaranteed employment, misusing work permits, or closing businesses without settling worker entitlements.
The government decided to tighten labour laws following numerous incidents where companies exploited visitors on tourist visas by employing them without pay or legal rights. This exploitation often left vulnerable job seekers in precarious situations, with no legal recourse to claim their entitlements.
New Legal Requirements
Previously, fines for employing individuals without work permits ranged from AED 50,000 to AED 200,000. However, the recent amendments have significantly increased these penalties to deter illegal recruitment practices. Companies must now ensure that employees are brought into the UAE on an entry permit rather than a tourist visa. Once in the country, the necessary procedures for obtaining a residency visa and signing an employment contract must be completed.
Authorities have emphasized that any recruitment activities outside these legal parameters are illegal, and employers found violating these laws will face severe legal consequences.
Protecting Vulnerable Job Seekers
Legal experts strongly advise companies to refrain from hiring individuals on tourist visas. Besides facing heavy fines, companies may also be subject to other legal actions if they are found exploiting job seekers.
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous companies continue to exploit the vulnerability of job seekers on visit visas by making false promises of providing employment visas. In many cases, these companies renew the visit visas multiple times without ever delivering on their promises, eventually dismissing the workers without pay. Victims in such situations often refrain from filing complaints out of fear of legal repercussions for working on a tourist visa, leaving them without protection or justice.
Cautionary Note
Visitors to the UAE on tourist visas are reminded that they must have sufficient funds for their stay and pre-book hotel accommodations. Working on a tourist visa is illegal, and individuals offered jobs in the UAE should ensure they receive an official offer letter from the Ministry of Human Resources before beginning any employment.
The UAE’s strengthened labour laws serve as a critical reminder to both employers and job seekers to adhere to legal procedures, ensuring that all workers in the country are treated fairly and with respect.
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