Anti-Discrimination UAE Laws
UAE Laws on Anti-Discrimination
As per the UAE laws, discrimination is prohibited and penalized by a number of specific laws.
The main UAE law on anti-discrimination is the Federal Decree Law No. 2 of 2015, on Combating Discrimination and Hatred, which came into effect in August 2015.
The law is rather comprehensive, covering blasphemy, hate speech, and all forms of discrimination.
The penalties for violating this UAE law can be severe and include:
- Prison of not less than 5 years, and/or
- Monetary penalty of not less than AED 500,000.
Additionally, discrimination is also expressly forbidden and penalized in the employment context, pursuant to the UAE Labor Law, No. 33 of 2021, along with its Executive Regulations. Which include expressed provisions on Equality and Non-Discrimination.
For example, under Article 4 of the UAE Labour Law, it is forbidden to have discrimination in the workplace on the basis of :
- Ethnicity,
- Race,
- Sex,
- Religion,
- National origin,
- Social status or
- Any disability.
It is also forbidden to discriminate amongst people in the same job.
Furthermore, the UAE Labour Law provides expressed prohibition against any form of discrimination against working women, including on the basis of pay-scale.
Finally, there are multiple UAE laws regarding non-discrimination of people of determination. One such law is the UAE Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 on the Rights of People of Determination. As well as a separate Dubai Law No. 3 of 2022 on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Dubai.
Anti-Discrimination UAE Laws - FAQs
What is the name of the main UAE law on anti-discrimination?The primary UAE law on anti-discrimination is the Federal Decree Law No.2 of 2015, on Combating Discrimination and Hatred. This came into effect in August, 2015.
What does the anti-discrimination UAE law predominantly cover?This UAE law is comprehensive and covers all aspects of:
1. Blasphemy
2. Hate speech
3. And all kinds of discrimination in UAE
Penalties for violating this UAE law will be severe. It includes imprisonment of not less than 5 years and/or monetary penalty of not less than AED 500,000.
What are the UAE laws on discrimination in the workplace?As per the UAE law, discrimination in the workplace is forbidden and penalized. As such, it is forbidden to discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, sex, religion, national origin, social status or any disability.
Is there equality in terms of pay-scale for men and women as per the UAE laws?Yes. In fact, the UAE Labour Law provides an expressed prohibition against any form of discrimination against working women and this specially covers pay-scale as well.
