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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has drawn attention to Article 44 of the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which details 10 violations that justify dismissal without prior notice. Employers must conduct a written investigation with the worker before such termination, and the dismissal decision must be issued in writing with clear reasons and handed directly to the employee. This provision forms part of broader efforts to clarify employment rights and obligations in the private sector.
According to the official government portal, the violations begin with assuming a false identity or submitting forged documents or certificates. A worker who commits an error resulting in substantial material loss to the employer, or who deliberately damages employer property and admits to it, can face immediate termination, provided the employer notifies the ministry within seven working days. Violations of workplace safety instructions, when those rules are displayed prominently in writing and the employee has been informed, constitute the third ground for notice-free dismissal.
Persistent failure to perform basic contractual duties, even after a written investigation and two warnings of potential dismissal, allows for termination without notice. Disclosing secrets related to the establishment’s industrial or intellectual property that causes losses, misses opportunities or yields personal gain for the worker is similarly actionable. Being found under the influence of alcohol or narcotics at work, or committing acts against public morals on the premises, ranks as another violation under the law.
Verbal or physical assaults against the employer, manager or colleagues during working hours provide grounds for dismissal, as does unauthorised absence without legitimate reason for more than 20 non-consecutive days or seven consecutive days within a year. Unlawfully exploiting one’s position for personal benefit and joining another company without adhering to required procedures complete the list of 10 violations. The government portal stresses that these rules apply only after due process is followed in each instance.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation figures show that 185,793 labour disputes were resolved amicably in the first half of 2026, representing 98.6 per cent of total cases with just 1.4 per cent referred to the courts. The high resolution rate reflects enhancements to the dispute system, including the ministry’s power to adjudicate claims up to AED50,000 directly. This approach has eased the load on courts and sped up access to entitlements for workers.
Legal frameworks such as this have contributed to a more structured labour market in the UAE, where expatriates form the majority of the private sector workforce, according to Public Authority for Civil Information data. Employers are encouraged to document all proceedings thoroughly to comply with the law and avoid potential compensation claims for arbitrary dismissal, which can reach up to three months of wages if upheld by the courts. The ministry continues to promote awareness of these regulations through its digital platforms and public announcements.
