Ministry unblocks 27,000 firms, waives fines for 12,000 workers

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced it is cancelling fines issued for violations for over 27,000 companies and 12,000 workers in the country that were committed before August 1, 2019.

It also announced that new work permits would be issued for specific cases of workers whose permits had been blocked before Aug.1, for violating the Labour Law.

This came following approval of two separate resolutions by the Supreme National Committee of the “Year of Tolerance,” headed by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The resolutions were issued by Nasser Bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, concerning unblocking a number of companies and waiving fines issued against offending workers in line with the Year of Tolerance.

He affirmed the Ministry’s constant striving to promote the value of tolerance in the labour market as a sustainable corporate work style to ensure more stability in the work relationship.

“Hence, it is keen on supporting employers and workers by reducing their burdens in a way that does not contradict with the law to achieve happiness of both parties,” he added.

He said, “The two decisions represent an important opportunity for the beneficiaries of companies and workers to abide by the law and the relating resolutions, and therefore not to commit violations that would expose them to the penalties provided for.”

Nora Al Marzouqi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Assistant for Policies and Strategy, explained that the Ministry’s unblocking of those companies had come after the verification that are not suspended by other parties, as well as the fulfilment of all the rights of their employees and the state rights. In addition, it was assured that the suspension came because of the referral to the judicial authorities and remained pending until the date of effect of this decision, she added.

She further pointed out that the decision applies to the cases of facilities suspended because of failure to subject to inspection and other reasons that necessitated the suspension of Aug.1, 2019.

As for the other decision that tolerated about 12,000 offending workers, Marzouqi explained that the decision applies to the offending workers that were monitored before Aug.1, 2019. The decision has allowed issuing new work permits for two categories of workers who previously failed to get it.

She explained that the first category included expatriates within the country of the skill levels III, IV and V, who agreed with the employers to end their contractual relationship during the probation period contrary to the ministry’s applicable regulations.

“The second category benefiting from this decision includes workers who failed to visit the ministry within 60 days of issuing a judicial ruling in their labour disputes, which goes against the ministry’s applicable regulations where new work permits for a non-compliant worker would accordingly be rejected for one year since the date of issuing the verdict,” Al Marzouqi stated.

It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation stipulates that new work permits should be granted to workers of the above-mentioned levels one year after the date of amicably terminating the contractual relationship between the two parties during the probation period of six months.

First and second skill levels are exempted of this condition.

Recently, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, MOHRE, under which the Dubai Chamber will offer UAE nationals employed by private companies access to exclusive development programmes under the ministry’s Absher Initiative.

The MoU was signed by Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber, and Farida Al Ali, Assistant Under-Secretary of National Human Resources Employment, representing the Ministry, with Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in attendance.

“As a representative for the private sector, the Dubai Chamber embraces the role UAE nationals play in developing the sector and supporting national strategies. The services and competitive advantages the Dubai Chamber will provide to Emiratis working in the private sector will help them develop their skills and expertise, and coach them for the entrepreneurial sector, a cornerstone of the UAE’s ambitious plans for the future,” said Buamim.

As part of the Absher Initiative, the agreement will see Dubai Chamber provide privileges to UAE citizens working in the private sector, including discounts on all of the chamber’s services, programmes, and initiatives, such as the Dubai Startup Hub and the Dubai Business Women Council that offer a range of mentorship services and developmental workshops focused on building and strengthening business and entrepreneurial skills.