UAE's Workers Protection Programme provides compensation of Dhs320m, benefiting 44,000 workers

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) has announced significant achievements and impressive outcomes from the Workers Protection Programme (WPP) in the labour market.

These accomplishments have been key in ensuring workers' financial entitlements and enhancing their awareness during the first half of 2026.

Dalal Al Shehhi, the Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Protection, highlighted that the positive developments seen in this period demonstrate the Ministry's dedication to creating a safe, stable, and sustainable work environment. This commitment ensures a high quality of life and well-being for workers while maintaining a fair balance between their rights and those of employers. These efforts are aligned with the national goals and the UAE Vision 2031.

A Sustainable Approach

The Ministry highlighted that the achievements in the first half of 2026 demonstrate the success of its comprehensive strategy in the labour market. This approach focuses on sustainable collaboration with federal and local government entities, as well as the private sector, to support legislative implementation and improve compliance.

It also emphasises effective execution of initiatives and programmes designed to establish the UAE as a leading model in safeguarding workers' rights.

In this regard, the Ministry reported that around 800,000 workers participated in celebrations organised during the first half of 2026, in partnership with federal and local government sectors and the private sector.

These events took place in over 60 locations nationwide, involving the workforce in national occasions and holidays to enhance their social integration and well-being. During these events, workers received valuable gifts and prizes.

Employment Benefit Insurance

The Employment Benefit Insurance programme has provided support to over 44,000 beneficiaries, with each worker receiving an average payment of around Dhs7,000. By the end of the first half of this year, the total disbursement surpassed Dhs320 million.

Additionally, the Unemployment Insurance system has compensated workers who lost their jobs with payments exceeding Dhs512 million since its inception in early 2024 through to the end of the first half of 2026.

Awareness Programmes

In terms of awareness programmes, these have been offered in 17 languages, reaching their goal with 100% of targeted workers completing the required orientation sessions. Moreover, more than 1.3 million workers benefited from specialised awareness programmes in the first half of 2026.

The findings highlighted the effectiveness of the Ministry's collaboration with the private sector in fostering social responsibility. It also underscored the commitment of businesses to protection standards and initiatives, alongside the effectiveness of the Ministry's digital and on-site inspection systems.

This success was evident in the implementation of the policy designed to safeguard workers from heat stress between June 15 and September 15, which included the establishment of over 12,000 rest areas for delivery workers during this period.

In terms of workers' accommodation, by the end of the first half of this year, the workers' housing system had more than 2,800 registered accommodations. These facilities provided top-tier comfort, health, and safety standards for approximately two million workers.