So you want to work in the UAE? Be guided then!

People of various nationalities aspire for their dream job in the United Arab Emirates. To them the UAE has become the modern workers' job-hunting haven, the Emirates having made a name as an oil-rich country with vast opportunities for workers and professionals under a progressive leadership.

 

Jobs that ensure financial stability in the shortest time possible are the targets of those aspiring to work in the UAE—be it in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or any one of the five other emirates. The United Arab Emirates offers job opportunities to foreign laborers and professionals in key industries such as construction, health care, technology and manufacturing. The compensation package in the region is generally better compared to what's being offered in other parts of Asia. UAE is known to be one of the countries offering higher standards of compensation with tax-exemption privilege for foreign workers. With its open-gate disposition in the jobs market comes a great responsibility for the UAE Government to ensure the maintenance of its good name by keeping a generally contented foreign labor force. Thus, the leadership is keeping a close eye on the strict adherence to guidelines set by the law to protect worker’s rights and with safety in consideration along with the accepting companies’ welfare.

 

Foreign workers bound for the UAE should get themselves familiarized with general guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) for the protection of their rights and for better understanding of their responsibilities as workers--as foreign workers. Both parties, the employers and the employees, should be aware of these guidelines and resolute on complying. Compliance on both sides would promote a healthful work environment and a harmonious relationship between them. Labor-management conflicts will be avoided with mutual compliance. The employers must provide what is due the workers and the workers must know both their rights and responsibilities and exercise these. The UAE labor law was implemented for the benefit of both the employers and the employees in belief that it will help them perform their duties and responsibilities together.

 

Both the employers and the employees in the Emirates soil must read and understand the Labor Law, most especially, the guidelines stipulated below. Note that these are actual parts of the UAE Labor Law paraphrased or excerpted, the spirit and substance of which cannot be altered simply for copyright purposes.

 

1 Employees must be punctual when reporting for work.

2 Do not fail to come to work without a prior permission or acceptable reason.

3 Abide by the orders of your client.

4 Do not mess with the machines and equipment at work.

5 Do not assault your chief or direct-in-charge either by action or words.

6 Do not feign illness and do not neglect health and work as well as safety instruction.

7 Do not abscond from work whatever the circumstances.

8 Do not fail to come to work at the end of your annual leave or any other leaves.

9 Should you have any other grievance, try to solve it amicably with the concerned parties at your company.

10 Should you fail to solve any grievance in your company you have to put the issue up to the Concerned Labor Department and you should follow their advice to settle same.

11 As you enter the UAE, make sure that your employer has obtained your Labor Card from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

 

Working in a foreign land and working with people of different cultures and with diverse educational standards is difficult. It needs self-adjustment and determination to blend in without losing sight of national identity and values. In a land where one is considered alien, extra care must be exercised to follow ways of doing things while at work and to obey the country's laws and the company's policies. Here is a situation where ensuring that one gets to co-exist amicably with others takes primary importance. In any foreign land, for that matter where one offers himself or herself as hired labor, one to be extra cautious in his ways and well prepared for the consequences of actions that may run against the grain of the country's or the company's norms. Take this as a challenge though. Pack up, come well prepared, work hard, and enjoy life! (M. Brown)