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March 2020

COVID-19: UAE Issues Guidelines for Private Sector Employment

Written by the DWF (Middle East) LLP Employment Team

In light of the new resolution, Shiraz Sethi and Ali-Al Assaad from the DWF Employment team consider the practical implications of this legislation and provide meaningful guidance for employers operating within the UAE.

Scope of Application
The new resolution is binding for all entities registered with the MOHRE and applies only to expatriate employees. Whilst such resolutions do not extend to free zone companies, in principal, the majority of free zone authorities tends to adopt the Ministerial Resolutions issued from time to time; however, it is recommended to approach the respective free zone authorities to confirm their position regarding this resolution and whether or not they recognize this for its employers and employees.

Reorganisation in the workplace
Companies affected by the Covid-19 precautionary measures, and willing to restructure their organization

Many companies have been severely impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak. As such, the MOHRE has released guidelines on the gradual measures employers should take when deploying measures to reduce costs within business. Accordingly, the below listed actions, (with the employees consent) except where the applicable laws provide otherwise should be followed in such order:

  • Remote work
  • Paid leave
  • Unpaid leave
  • Temporary wage reduction
  • Permanent wage reduction

Employee Surplus
Companies with a surplus of employees are advised to register them in the Virtual Labour Market (https://mohre.hyrdd.com/) so other companies can benefit from their services. Whilst the employer shall continue to honour their obligations towards those employees (including accommodation and other entitlements), the salaries of such individuals shall be paid by the new employer until the employee either returns to work with his or her primary employer, leave the country or until they obtain a new work permit for a different employer.

Temporary Salary Reduction
With companies trying to tackle the impact of this pandemic, employers are looking at measures to reduce costs and maintain business continuity. As such, a number of employers are considering salary reductions. These must be agreed by both the employer and the employee. To legitimize such agreement, the parties must sign the addendum template in the form provided by the MOHRE. The salary reduction will continue to apply until the addendum's expiry date or until such time that the precautionary measures have been lifted, whichever comes first. In the event the addendum expires and the measures are still in force, parties can mutually agree to renew or extend the duration of the addendum. 

Permanent Salary Reduction
Whilst employers are looking for temporary solutions to cut costs during the Covid-19 pandemic, if employers are looking to effect permanent salary reductions for their employees then they will require mutual consent and the approval of the MOHRE.

This Ministerial Resolution which comes into effect immediately will change the landscape of how employers are tackling exits within their respective businesses to reduce the impact on business continuity as a result of Covid-19.

What is clear from the Resolution is that employers cannot take draconian measures from the outset and must take reasonable steps and exhaust all possible alternative measures gradually before taking the decision to exit their employees otherwise they run the risk of legal proceedings being issued by employees through the local courts with a wave of claims for arbitrary dismissal compensation

Authors: The DWF (Middle East) Employment Team - Shiraz Sethi, Regional Managing Partner // Co-Head of Employment, Thenji Moyo, Director //Co-Head of Employment, Ali Al Assad, Senior Associate // Employment

Contacts

Shiraz Sethi Regional Managing Partner // Co-Head of Employment
+971 4 397 8565,
shiraz.sethi@dwf.law

Thenji Moyo Director // Co-Head of Employment
+971 4 397 8565
thenji.moyo@dwf.law 

Ali Al Assaad, Senior Associate // Employment
+971 4 397 8565
ali.alassaad@dwf.law 

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