New UAE Student Labour Law

Saqr Gobash, the UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, has recently issued a Decree that enables students to work part time. This decree expands the 2011 decree to include a wider student base, and allows for them to be paid instead of the familiar free internship practice.This is a significant step forward, as it opens up a job market that was undefined before, and gives job entrants the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

Companies can select from a wider labour pool, and have the benefit of evaluating how new talent and innovative ideas can be incorporated in the existing work model, without the longer term commitment of sponsorship required. Furthermore, employers have the option of using this segment for project based or short assignment work.

The aim of the UAE government to enable students to get training and job experience while they study, will collectively improve productivity and participation in the labour market. Simon Bangs, Middle East Managing Director of Allen and York Recruitment Consultancy, also believes it will increase part-time work opportunities for students.

Employers can apply for three types of work permits. A temporary work permit allows students to work on projects for up to 6 months, while a part time work permit allows students to work for lesser hours per day for up to a year. With a juvenile work permit, students aged 15 to 18 years can now work for up to a year.

The ministry has issued guidelines to limit work to six hours a day, work no longer than 4hrs without a break and to allow at least one or more hours of rest and breaks to eat or pray.

Another welcome UAE initiative towards progressive labour practises!