The new year is approaching and we all are here making resolutions and planning vacations. Knowing the list of holidays to plan a vacation ahead of time is truly essential. So let’s find out about the new list of leaves that has been announced by UAE Labour Law. But this is a recent development of paid leaves specifically for workers belonging to the private sector.
9 Types Of Paid Leaves For The Private Sector Of UAE
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that Sunday, January 1, 2023, will be an official paid holiday in the UAE for all private sector employees.#MoHRE #UAE pic.twitter.com/c3DYnUXnq4
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) December 20, 2022
UAE firmly believes that every employee be it public or private sector, must have a work-life balance. This helps in more quality performance than the one produced in a stressed workplace.
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE’s labour law, contains information on all the paid leaves that employees are eligible to take in the country. The list includes yearly leave, sick leave, and maternity leave. Employees have the right to a day off on public holidays in addition to these leaves.
Here’s A Quick Guide On The Leaves
1. Annual Leaves
UAE has a simple rule of awarding a month’s holiday post working for a year to every employee. This is a month-long paid leave for people to go on vacation or expats to visit their families.
Counting their working hours according to employment contracts, employers have to provide this annual leave accordingly.
2. Week Off
The #UAE government announces the new working week, where private sectors workers are granted a one-day paid leave during the week and the chance to increase the leaves according to the establishment’s appreciation. pic.twitter.com/1Imv05U1VU
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) December 7, 2021
Every employee working in UAE is entitled to receive at least one paid week off.
3. Public Holidays
1-1 Kindly be informed that, if the work circumstances require that the worker work during holidays or leaves for which a complete or partial payment is paid there to:
The worker shall be granted a substitute leave as well as an increase in the wage amounting to 50 % thereof.— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) November 30, 2021
Festivals and other celebratory days fall under Public holidays. Even if there’s a sudden announcement by the government or Ruler for a public holiday, then the employees are entitled to them as well. If owing for any reason employees have to work on such events, then the employer should compensate them for the same.
4. Sick Leave
This is a tricky situation. Your sick leaves are of approval post-probationary period for upto 90 days annually. It depends from person to person to take it in breaks or continued. The pay scale for the 90 days ranges from the first 15 days fully paid followed by half pay for the next 30 days. The remaining 45 days will be without any pay at all. If you wish to take sick leave before the probation period then you may without expecting it to be a paid one.
Also Read: Emiratis Can Now Get One Year Paid Leaves To Start A Business
5. Maternity leave
The female worker shall be entitled to 45 days of full paid maternity leave. This period that include the pre- and postnatal periods, provided that the continuous service period for the employer is of one year at least. #MOHRE #LabourLaw #UAE pic.twitter.com/pLsIveutxG
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) April 12, 2018
Every woman is entitled to get maternity leave of 60 days during her pregnancy journey. The classification comes upto 45 days fully paid and 15 days half paid. The officials inform the mothers to apply for this leave 30 days prior to the expected childbirth.
6. Parental Leave
For the first time in the MENA region, #UAE amended the #Labor Law to establish paid parental leave. Workers in the UAE, regardless of sex, have now the right to five working days of paid #parental leave, in addition to the existing #maternity leave. Congratulations!
— Issam Abousleiman عصام ابوسليمان (@i_abousleiman) September 7, 2020
Similar to maternity leave, Parental leave is a paid leave which is a right for both parents. You can choose from 5 days to 6 months of leaves for private sector employees.
7. Study Leave
What are the provisions for taking a study leave by those working in the private sector? Find out.https://t.co/6YouCY2Yx7@MOHRE_UAE#UAE_portal
— الحكومة الرقمية لدولة الامارات (@uaedgov) September 11, 2022
Trying to pursue higher education? You can apply for study leave if you want it for study purposes or to sit in the examinations. Every individual is entitled to get 10-day study leave annually. But the catch here is that you should have at least 2 years of experience with the current organization to apply for this paid leaves.
8. Compassionate Leave
Every employee can use this leave in case of the death of a near one. An individual can take 5 days in case of a spouse’s death and 3 for other close family members by the UAE labour law.
9. Sabbatical
Emiratis working in the private sector are entitled to a paid sabbatical to perform national service.https://t.co/Ci7pPNVpHL@MOHRE_UAE#UAE_portal
— الحكومة الرقمية لدولة الامارات (@uaedgov) September 20, 2022
Thinking to join the army or National force, then the company might give you paid leave for a sabbatical which is an extended break from work. Performing National service is important for Emirati men once approved by the National and Reserve Service Committee of UAE Armed Forces General Command.
It is quite crucial to keep a tab of these holidays before planning your years ahead.
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