The United Arab Emirates has clarified which groups of foreign workers may be spared from a one-year employment ban imposed on those found guilty of violating work abandonment rules. According to information published on the UAE's official website, the one-year ban applies broadly to workers who breach the provisions of the Decree-Law and its Implementing Regulations in work abandonment cases.
Five Exempt Categories Under the Decree-Law
However, the Decree-Law makes room for certain categories of workers to be exempted, provided the work abandonment complaint against them is proven. The UAE government has listed the following five categories of workers who may qualify for the exemption:
- Workers sponsored under family residence visas
- Workers applying for a new work permit with the same establishment
- Workers with professional skills or knowledge levels required in the UAE
- Holders of the UAE Golden Visa
- Any other occupational categories identified as needed in the labour market, as determined by ministerial decisions and based on the labour classification approved by the Cabinet
Official Statement and Policy Intent
The official government statement reads: "The one-year ban applies to all workers who violate the provisions of the Decree-Law and its Implementing Regulations in the cases mentioned above. However, the Decree-Law exempts the following categories of workers from the one-year ban in the case of a proven work abandonment complaint."
The inclusion of workers with high-demand professional skills and Golden Visa holders reflects the UAE's broader priority of retaining specialised talent within its labour market. The final category, covering occupational groups identified through ministerial decisions and Cabinet-approved classifications, also leaves room for the list to be expanded over time as labour market needs evolve.
Guidance for Foreign Workers and Employers
Foreign workers in the UAE, particularly those from Nigeria and other African countries, are advised to review their visa and employment status carefully to understand where they stand under these provisions.
In a related development, Legit.ng recently reported that the UAE government has listed 16 obligations employers must meet when hiring domestic workers. The duties include providing accommodation, meals, medical care, and paying wages according to the employment contract.
