The government of the United Arab Emirates has introduced new changes to its labor law, including fines for employers who hire workers without legal permits.
According to legal experts, new penalties for employers range between Dh100,000 and Dh1 million,($27,225.70 to $272,260.35), VisaGuide.World reports.
Previously, fines for hiring workers without a work permit ranged from Dh50,000 to Dh200,000. The new range of Dh100,000 to Dh1 million shows the seriousness of the government in protecting workers’ rights.
He said the new changes will ensure the legality of employment practices.
As Khaleej Times explains, the new changes from the UAE government come after some employers make foreigners on tourist and visit visas work in the UAE by promising them residency and work permits after their tourist permits expire. However, a larger number of them do not get paid for work done during this period.
In this regard, the Director at ECH Digital said that some visit visa holders are mistreated with the guarantee of a job offer, only to be told to leave once their visa expires.
The federal government’s decision will significantly curb these malpractices and ensure that labor laws are followed.
Working Under a Tourist or Visitor Visa Is Illegal, UAE Government Warns
The UAE’s tourist visa is dedicated to those who are not eligible for a visa upon arrival or visa-free entry to the UAE. They are eligible to apply for a tourist visa through airlines, travel agents and hotels, as clarified by the United Arab Emirates’ Government Portal.
At the same time, the UAE grants multiple-entry or single-entry visas that permit internationals to visit the UAE for specific purposes. The purpose of the visit visa includes tourism, attending a mission, visiting a relative, exploring business job opportunities, studying and training, getting medical treatment and transiting through the UAE, among others.
However, the UAE’s government, through its website, has emphasized that working under a visit or tourist permit/visa is illegal. According to the government, if an expat gets a job offer in the UAE, they can only work after an offer letter issued by the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Legal advisors have urged all employers to refrain from permitting visitors to work illegally in the Kingdom.
If a company is found to be in breach of the law, it will entail high risks and legal consequences.
In addition, a senior associate at BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem and Associates, Hadiel Hussein, told Khaleej Times that the new changes create a stricter regulatory environment for employers, demanding greater compliance with the labor law.