Tim Elliott
Welcome to Lawgical, the UAE’s first and still the only legal podcast. Lawgical comes to you from the Dubai-based legal firm HPL Yamalova & Plewka. And as ever, here’s the managing partner, Ludmila Yamalova. Good to see you.
Ludmila Yamalova
Good to see you too, Tim.
Tim Elliott
This time, it’s a very special edition of Lawgical. We took a quick look at the new UAE employment law recently, and I want to get into more detail because there’s an awful lot to discuss.
I want to try to make this a little bit easier to digest and split this into six relatively easy pieces. Ludmila, let’s move on to part four: leave and holidays. Under the new law, a number of paid leaves are being introduced—study leave, leave for national service, bereavement leave, and also parental leave. Can we run through those? Some of these have appeared before, but I know there’s something new here.
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes, there are several sections and articles in the law that set out different types of leave. The general overview is that now there is more leave or more time off for employees in an employment context. The new law offers additional benefits to employees.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Annual Leave: Article 29 specifies annual leave provisions remain the same as before—one day of paid leave per week. Employers can always offer more leave.
- Bereavement Leave: A new provision allowing leave for deceased relatives up to the fifth degree, ranging from three to five days, depending on the relationship.
- Parental Leave: Five additional days per year for either parent. This is distinct from maternity or annual leave and applies to both mothers and fathers.
- Study Leave: Employees with at least two years of service are entitled to 10 days of study leave per year to pursue further education or qualifications.
- Maternity Leave: Now increased to 60 days, with the first 45 days at full pay and the remaining 15 days at half pay.
- National Service Leave: For UAE nationals serving in national service.
Additionally, there are provisions for other types of leave that may be introduced by cabinet decisions or executive regulations.
Tim Elliott
What about Hajj leave? I understand that’s no longer included.
Ludmila Yamalova
Yes, Hajj leave is no longer specifically mentioned in the law. In the past, this leave was explicitly granted to Muslims for pilgrimage in addition to other leave entitlements. Its omission may signal that employees are now expected to use their annual leave for such personal and religious commitments, similar to other religious observances for non-Muslim employees.
Tim Elliott
It sounds like there are more protections and flexibility now for employees.
Ludmila Yamalova
Absolutely. Overall, this new law introduces more time off for employees and offers more generous employment benefits, enhancing the balance between professional and personal life.
Tim Elliott
That’s part four of this special podcast series considering the new UAE employment law, looking specifically at leave and holidays. And that’s another episode of Lawgical—updates on the UAE employment law in, hopefully, six easy pieces or one larger podcast, depending on how you like to listen.
Ludmila Yamalova
Thank you, Tim. As always, it’s been very insightful to be chatting with you.
Tim Elliott
You can find us at LYLaw on social media—Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, wherever you like. We’ve also got a really easy-to-search library of hundreds of podcasts on all kinds of legal issues here in the UAE, and they are all free to download and listen to. If you’d like a legal question answered in a future episode of Lawgical, or a consultation with a qualified UAE-experienced legal professional, click the contact button at LYLawyers.com.
