 |
The UAE sets out clear guidelines for the employment of juveniles, through the UAE Labour Law – Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 – and its implementing regulations. Photo credit: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels
From six-hour workdays and mandatory breaks to a ban on night shifts and overtime, here’s what employers and young workers need to know
Dubai: If you are a
young teen enthusiastic about gaining work experience or earning an income, you
have the option to join the UAE’s private sector through the Juvenile Work
Permit, which is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
The UAE, however, sets
out some clear guidelines for the employment of juveniles, through the UAE
Labour Law – Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 – and its implementing
regulations.
Here is all you need
to know about what the law says and the work options available to you.
Eight rules for
hiring a 15- to 18-year-old
Article 5 of the UAE
Labour Law sets out the following regulations for the employment of young
adults:
- Children under the age of 15 cannot be
employed.
- A written consent must be obtained from
the juvenile's guardian or custodian.
- A health certificate must be issued by the
relevant medical authority, proving the fitness of the juvenile to
undertake the required work.
- Their working hours cannot exceed six
hours per day. This duration includes one or more breaks, which shall not
be less than one hour in total.
- The period of the breaks should also be
defined in the work contract so that the juvenile does not work for more
than four consecutive hours.
- They should not be asked to work between
7pm and 7am.
- They should not be employed in dangerous
or arduous works, or in works which, by their nature, are likely to harm
their health, safety or morals.
- They should not be asked to work overtime.
Juvenile work
permit
If you do find a job,
your employer is required to apply for a ‘juvenile work permit’. However, you
will be required to provide the following documents:
- Clear coloured photo with a white
background.
- Written consent signed by your guardian or
custodian.
- Medical certificate issued by a competent
medical authority confirming that you are medically fit for the job.
- Your passport and residence visa copy.
The permit is issued
for a period of one year.
Traineeship for
young adults
Another short-term
options available to students who are at least 15 years of age is the student
training and work permit, which is issued by MOHRE for a period of three
months, in accordance with Administrative Resolution No. 22 of 2022.
According to the
resolution, any establishment may train students aged 15 years and above, on
the condition of a written contract. The contract must include:
- the areas of training;
- duration of the training period;
- weekly and other holidays;
- the value of the bonus, if any, and any
privileges granted to the trainee.
While the juvenile
work permit can be issued for any individual between the ages of 15 to 18, the
student training and work permit is specifically for students. In order for the
establishment to apply for the permit, you would need to provide all the documents
listed above, as well as a ‘no objection’ certificate from your educational
institute.
