Before accepting a job offer in the UAE, carefully review your employment contract to ensure it aligns with your expectations and complies with local labour laws. Here are the essential details to check:
1. Job Title and Description
Ensure the job title and responsibilities match what was promised during recruitment. This impacts your role’s scope, career progression, and visa classification.
2. Salary and Benefits
Verify the basic salary, allowances (e.g., housing, transportation), and additional benefits like bonuses. Confirm how and when payments will be made (e.g., monthly).
3. Working Hours
The UAE labour law limits private sector working hours to 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Breaks are mandatory after five consecutive hours of work. Overtime work must be compensated with a 25%-50% premium, depending on the time.
4. Leave Entitlements
Check your annual leave (e.g., 30 days after one year of service), sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and public holiday provisions. Ensure accrued leaves are addressed in case of termination.
5. Probation Period
Understand the probation period, which cannot exceed 6 months. Once completed, the period is counted as part of your total service.
6. End-of-Service Benefits
Review your eligibility for gratuity payments, based on your service length, and whether the contract includes additional retirement or pension provisions.
7. Notice Period
Ensure the notice period for resignation or termination complies with UAE law, typically 30 to 90 days.
8. Relocation and Repatriation Costs
For international hires, confirm if the contract includes relocation assistance, flight allowances, or repatriation benefits.
9. Contract Language
Since 2016, job offers and contracts can include a third language in addition to Arabic and English. Options include Hindi, Urdu, Chinese, Bengali, and more, ensuring clarity for workers.
10. Employer’s Obligations
Employers must ensure you’ve read and understood the contract. Failure to comply could result in a Dh20,000 fine for providing incorrect details to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre).
By reviewing these aspects, you can ensure a fair and legally compliant employment agreement, protecting your rights as you start your new role in the UAE.
