The beginning of 2011 has seen a number of new Cabinet and Ministerial Resolutions hitting the headlines as they have wide-ranging effects on labour relations in the UAE. This article provides an overview of the key changes which have been introduced.

Work Permits

There are now five internal work permits which may be provided by the Ministry of Labour to individuals working in the UAE. These were introduced in Cabinet Resolution No. 25 of 2010 concerning Internal Work Permits Applicable in the Ministry of Labour and are considered below.

• Worker Transfer Permit - applicable where a non-national worker is already working in the UAE and is transferred from one organisation to another. For this permit to apply, both organisations should be registered with the Ministry of Labour.

• Temporary Work Permit - issued to a national or non-national who is to be employed on a project or in a role which is not for more than six months in duration.