Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Mohammed Yaseen, Staff Reporter

The employer in the UAE is obligated to pay the worker's medical expenses in the event that the latter suffers an injury while being on duty, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

MOHRE explained that the employer must also compensate the employee in case of disability or compensate his family in case of death.

The employer is obligated to bear the expenses of treating the worker until he recovers and can perform work or proves his disability, according to several conditions, including that the treatment takes place in one of the governmental or private treatment facilities, MOHRE explained.

Treatment expenses which the employer must bear include hospitalization expenses, the cost of surgeries, the cost of x-rays and medical tests, as well as medicines, rehabilitation equipment, limbs, and prosthetic devices for those whose disability is proved, in addition to transportation expenses required by the worker’s treatment, according to the MOHRE.

If the worker's injury or illness (due to work) prevents him from performing his work, the employer must pay him his full wage for the duration of the treatment or for a period of 6 months, whichever is less, and half the wage if the treatment period exceeds 6 months, then half the wage also for the following six months or until treatment is completed, or until he is proved to be incapacitated or if he dies, MOHRE explained.

If the work injury or illness (due to work) causes the worker’s death, the employer must pay the family of the deceased a compensation equal to his basic wage for 24 months, provided that the value of the compensation is not less than Dhs18,000 and not more than Dhs200,000, according to MOHRE.

Compensation will be distributed among the beneficiaries as determined by the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law.

The dues of the deceased must also be paid to his family, such as the end of service gratuity and any other financial dues.