According to a new system enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, employees (both Emiratis and Foreign Workers) are allowed to work for more than one employer, without having to obtain an approval from their primary employer.
Therefore, companies in the UAE can now hire employees on part-time basis from both within and outside the country. The companies just have to acquire a permit from the ministry.
Part-time contract workers are those who work less than eight hours a day, and should be given a minimum of one day off per week. Non-competitor clauses are not applicable to such employees.
This initiative aims to implement a resolution issued by Nasser bin Tahni Al Hamli, the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation. According to Al Hamli, the new system would promote flexibility in the labour market and meet the needs of employers, depending on availability of employees in labour market. It also helps in reducing dependence on foreign workers.
The part-time contracts can help in reducing labour cost, particularly when it comes to employees who are already in the country. As per the resolution, workers will have to perform their duties as per labour regulations by the ministry, except for the number of working hours.
The contracts are aimed at highly specialized professions that require good scientific, technical and administrative skill-sets with minimum qualification requirement of a university degree.
Technical professions that require intellectually demanding, technical, scientific, supervisory and practical skill-sets should meet the qualification requirements which emphasizes on two or three-year post-secondary institutional training.
The primary employer would have to pay a ministerial fee of Dh.150 to Dh.200 while the secondary employer would be required to pay Dh.100, which is the fee paid for temporary work permits.
Annual leaves, end-of-service benefits and other financial obligations will be the responsibility of primary employers, and would be based on actual work hours and wages mentioned in the contract.
However, a part time contract cannot be converted into a full time contract, unless it is terminated.