Recent Key Developments in UAE Employment Law

Analysis

Employment relationships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are generally regulated by the UAE Federal Law No. 8 of 1980, Regulating Labour Relations, as amended (Labour Law) together with regulations promulgated under that law.

The Labour Law applies to all employees working in the UAE, whether national or non-national, with the exception of certain categories of people. One of the exempted categories are employees working in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are subject to the DIFC Employment Law No. 4 of 2005 (Employment Law). The legislative regime in the DIFC (save for certain laws such as criminal and immigration) is independent from the UAE. The DIFC has its own laws and regulations which govern commerce within the DIFC supported by its own independent English language common law court system.