Dubai Workers Can Claim Their Rights Legally: Trust in Legal Channels

This article from 2016 highlights the steps taken by Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality to increase awareness of workers' rights and improve workplace conditions, particularly in reducing stress caused by delayed wages.¹

While the core principle—that workers should know and use legal channels to resolve disputes—remains the focus, the methods, authorities, and legal frameworks in the UAE have been significantly updated since 2016.

Here is an analysis of the key points from the article, with modern context and current procedures:

⚖️ Workers' Rights and Dispute Resolution in the UAE: An Update

The 2016 article detailed the efforts of Dubai Police (Human Rights Department) and Dubai Municipality in addressing worker grievances, particularly regarding delayed wages.² Since then, the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Labour Law) and subsequent ministerial resolutions have solidified and streamlined the process, giving the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) the central role.³

1. Authority for Labour Disputes

2016 Context	Current (2025) Procedure and Authority
Dubai Police Human Rights Department's Temporary Employment Conditions Control Section handled complaints and had a "free line" and "smart app" for workers.	The primary authority is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). MoHRE handles labour complaints for the private sector (excluding some Free Zones) through: * Toll-Free Call Center: 800 84 (Labour Claims and Advisory) or 600 590000 (General Inquiries). * MoHRE Website/App: Dedicated e-services for filing complaints, including a confidential "My Salary Complaint" option.
Goal: Build trust and prevent workers from resorting to unlawful methods (like strikes).	Goal: Resolve disputes amicably, enforce the law, and ensure swift resolution (conciliation within 14 days is the target, sometimes faster in Dubai).

2. Protection Against Delayed Wages (WPS)

The article noted that delays in giving wages were the top cause of stress, and compensation for delayed wages amounted to Dh319 million (2009-2015).⁴ This issue is now strictly managed by the Wages Protection System (WPS).⁵

• Legal Mandate: Employers must pay wages through the WPS.⁶ The salary is considered delayed if not paid within 15 days of the due date (unless the contract specifies a shorter period).⁷
• Penalties: Failure to comply with WPS within the allowed grace period subjects the company to strict penalties, including fines, warnings, suspension of new work permits, and potential referral to the Public Prosecution.⁸
• Complaint: Workers can file a confidential "My Salary Complaint" through MoHRE to report non-payment without their identity being immediately disclosed to the employer.⁹

3. Resolution Time and Trust

The article highlighted that complaints were addressed within 45 minutes of receipt and that trust had increased to 93% by 2015.¹⁰

• Current Resolution: MoHRE now has the authority to issue final and binding decisions in labour disputes where the claim value is less than AED 50,000.¹¹ This dramatically speeds up the resolution process for most workers' complaints by bypassing the lengthy court procedures.¹²
• Court Exemption: Workers are exempt from paying judicial fees for labour claims that are less than AED 100,000.¹³

4. Ongoing Awareness

The importance of awareness campaigns mentioned by Lt Colonel Al Helli and Dubai Municipality remains crucial.

• Modern Channels: Awareness and support for workers are now widely provided through MoHRE's multilingual digital platforms, smart apps, and continuous outreach initiatives by local police and government entities (like the "Worker's Welfare" initiatives often cited by Dubai Police). These campaigns continue to focus on legal rights, duties, safety, and available communication channels.¹⁴

The core message remains the same: the UAE legal system provides robust, accessible, and increasingly efficient channels for workers to claim their rights, particularly concerning timely salary payments, which has significantly reduced the need for unlawful actions.

Would you like me to look up the current MoHRE penalties for repeated salary delays under the Wages Protection System?

 

Saudi Arabia Introduce Green Card within Five years

Saudi Arabia will introduce a "green card" system within five years to allow resident expatriates in the kingdom to have more rights in order to improve its investment climate, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Monday.

Speaking in a television interview, he said planned sweeping reforms, of which the proposed green card is one, will be implemented even if oil prices rise back above $70 a barrel and pledged to end Riyadh's dependence on crude revenue by 2020.

The Saudi government on Monday approved a plan for vast economic reforms dubbed ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ to substantially reduce the Opec powerhouse’s reliance on oil, the official SPA news agency reported.

New law to protect Investors Trust in Dubai’s Financial Market

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai issued Law No (4) of 2016 on the Dubai Economic Security Centre,new law to safeguard investors and to ensure Dubai’s financial stability.

The centre aims to maintain Dubai’s position as a global financial and economic hub, ensure its financial stability and protect its investments from crimes that may harm its economy.

The new law seeks to ensure the proper implementation of international best practices in Dubai’s financial markets, protect investors from risks, combat illegal and harmful activities, and predict and manage risks and negative economic trends that can jeopardise the stability of the market and the national economy.

The new law will enhance investors’ trust in Dubai’s financial markets and encourage them to use Dubai as a hub for their businesses, contribute to ensuring the integrity of procedures related to financial operations, and encourage market players to actively combat activities that can affect economic security and increase awareness about threats that such activities might pose.


Centre’s authority

Entities subject to the centre’s authority include local government bodies that are guaranteed minimum profit by the government as well as those that are subsidised by the government and any company or institution licensed to engage in economic activity in the emirate, including licensed companies operating in special development zones, free zones including the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The centre will also have oversight over charities operating in the emirate as well as any institution that is required to be monitored by the centre as per a decision of the Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The new law also defines the roles and responsibilities of the Dubai Economic Security Centre, which include: combating corruption, fraud, crimes, bribery, embezzlement, destruction of public property, forgery, counterfeiting, money laundering , terrorism financing, illegal organisations or other crimes that may be committed by entities that are under the jurisdiction of the Centre.

The law authorises the centre to monitor and analyse economic phenomena in the emirate and reduce any potential negative impact; monitor abuses, financial irregularities, financial markets, institutions, commercial sectors and free zones in Dubai; supervise trading of currencies, commodities, precious metals and listed and unlisted trading securities; supervise donations sent or received by charities; develop rules and procedures to prevent interactions with individuals or organisations involved in terrorism, or with any individual who maintains contacts with these organizations.

Reviewing legislation

As per the law, the Dubai Economic Security Centre is tasked with proposing and reviewing legislations related to the supervision of financial and economic activity in the emirate, preparing specialised studies on the financial and economic affairs of the emirate in order to enhance economic and investment awareness, in addition to providing recommendations in this regard; providing support and advice on the economic security of entities under its jurisdiction upon request; providing training programmes; and preparing reports on important issues affecting the economic security of Dubai for submission to the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

Furthermore, the centre is tasked with the development and publication of reports and periodic statistics on the financial and economic status of the emirate, participation in councils and committees focused on Dubai’s financial and economic affairs, following up on criminal proceedings that may impact the emirate’s economy, and combating activities and practices that may have a detrimental impact on the emirate’s economy and its resources.

The new law stipulates that the executive arm of the centre will have an Executive Director and will be staffed by a number of administrative, financial and technical employees. The law also outlines the roles of the Executive Director, who will be appointed by the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

The new law enables the Centre to coordinate with concerned authorities to carry out its responsibilities and tasks such as supervision, research, investigation, information gathering, taking preventive measures, data and information exchange, financial and administrative auditing, as well as recording crimes and offences in accordance with the provision of this law.

The centre will also provide protection and ensure the safety of individuals collaborating with it for the purpose of maintaining the economic security of the emirate by not disclosing information about the identity and whereabouts of the collaborator. 
For the purposes of this Law, providing information on matters affecting the economic security of the emirate shall not be considered a violation. Any person providing the information shall not be subject to any legal or disciplinary action unless proven to be providing false information.

The new law outlines the penalties for violations of its provisions. Disclosure of information or data that is considered confidential as per the Law could bring imprisonment of up to a maximum of one year and a minimum of three months, apart from a fine of up to Dh50,000 and a minimum of Dh10,000. Any person who violates the provisions of this law will incur a minimum fine of Dh10, 000 and a maximum fine of Dh500, 000.

The law requires concerned individuals and entities to fully cooperate with the Centre in order to enable it to fulfill its mandate without hindrances. 
The new law annuls any other legislation that contradicts or challenges its provisions. The new law shall be published in the Official Gazette and is valid from the date of its publication.

Employee Always Late to Work Not eligible for Gratuity - HR Ministry UAE

Employees who are sacked because of their failure to abide by work timings are not entitled for gratuity, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization.

The Ministry outlined such a rule in a response to a query by an employer who complained that some of his workers persistently fail to come to office on time despite his repeated warnings that their services could be terminated.

In his letter to the Ministry, the employer said those workers ignored his warnings and continued to violate work timings. He asked the Ministry whether he would be committed to paying them gratuity in case he terminates their services.

“Workers whose service is terminated due to job misbehavior after repeated notices by the employer are not entitled for end-of-service benefits or any compensation for the sacking,” the Ministry said, according to Emarat Al Youm daily.

The paper quoted a Ministry official as saying employers must first take measures to ensure discipline by their employees in line with Article 120 of the UAE Labour Law.

The source said such measures include notices and meetings with the non-punctual workers, adding that employers can gradually cut those workers’ wages.

“In case the worker does not respond to such warnings, the employer can issue an ultimatum to the worker that he would terminate his service…after that ultimatum, he is authorized to sack the worker if he fails to comply.”

Dubai Visa System through Typing centres

The UAE Vision System, a new visa system which allows residents to apply and renew visas directly through typing centres without the need of visiting the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), has been officially adopted by a number of typing centers in Dubai.

One such centre even launched a toll-free number on Wednesday to help with the new system. ID Card Centre, located in Deira, launched its 800 IDCARD (800 432273) hotline on Wednesday. The hotline is available in Arabic, English, Hindi, and Malayalam, to help customers enquiring about the new ‘UAE Vision’ system. It allows customers to schedule the pickup and delivery of their visa-related documents through Zajel courier at a convenient location.

With the unveiling of the UAE Vision system earlier this month, residents are no longer required to visit the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs headquarters or any of its external branches in order to renew or apply for visas. Instead, all transactions will be carried out through the approved typing centres.

The transactions include applying for visa, renewing residency, applying for new residency, and visa cancellation, in addition to any other related services. According to a GDRFA official, there have been no changes to the required documents or charges related to the visa transactions.

“When customers visit typing centres, they need to look out for the Amer logo,” a GDRFA official said. “The logo will be clearly visible on the counters and on the staff uniform. The logo is a badge of approval from the GDRFA, indicating that the typing centre is qualified to carry out visa-related transactions through the UAE Vision system.”

Speaking on the delivery of new services to customers, Esmail Ebrahim, managing director of ID Card Centre, said, “Keeping with the government’s efforts of digitization and technological development, we decided to offer our customers services that will make the visa application processes more convenient and less frustrating.”

The other related services the centre offers range from documentation for medical tests, attestation, legal translation, and wages protection system (WPS).

Jailab Abdullah, marketing manager of the centre, said the centre is equipped with facilities as per the GDRFA standards. “To be accredited by the GDRFA, the typing centres need to have a space of at least 1500 square metres, a token system, security and camera systems and a waiting area,” he said, adding that the centre aims to make visa application procedures as efficient as possible for customers.

Elaborating on the new system, Colonel Hussain Ebrahim, assistant of the director-general for administrative support at the GDRFA, earlier said: “The UAE Vision System is a new system where public members will be able to visit any of the typing service offices and submit their transactions without having to visit the GDRFA building or any of the centres to complete their transactions as everything will be done at the typing centre only.”

Visa applicants are urged to provide accurate contact information to typing centres. Those who apply for visit visa-related transactions will have it sent to their email and those applying for residency visa service will have it sent to them via Zajel courier service, Col Ebrahim explained.

Zajel counters will be available at all approved typing centres. Those applying for residency visas can hand over their passport to the counter after the application process is complete. The Zajel courier service will deliver the customer’s passport once the visa is issued and stamped.