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Article 15 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Concerning the Regulation of Labour Relations requires employers to transfer any unpaid wages, financial entitlements and the full end-of-service gratuity to a deceased worker’s family within 10 days of the death or the date the employer learns of it. The law applies across the private sector and covers both resident and migrant workers who form the majority of the UAE workforce. A report published by Legit.ng on October 29, 2026 detailed the provisions that aim to prevent financial hardship for dependents following a worker’s passing.
The same article of the labour law allows a worker to designate a specific family member in writing during their lifetime to receive these entitlements, according to the official text. This written instruction provides a clear legal basis for the chosen recipient to claim the funds without additional delays. Gulf News reported in an earlier explanation of the statute that the designation must be honoured by the employer as part of the mandatory 10-day transfer.
Employers are further obligated to cover the full costs of preparing the deceased worker’s body and transporting it to the home country or usual place of residence when relatives make such a request, the labour law states. This requirement extends beyond financial dues and forms a core part of the employer’s responsibilities at the time of death. The Legit.ng overview listed repatriation expenses among the four primary obligations placed on companies under the regulation.
If the employer cannot locate or transfer the dues directly to the family or designated beneficiary within the deadline, the amounts must be deposited with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in line with the ministry’s calculation methodology, according to Ministerial Decision No. 720 of 2023. Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants noted in a 2023 analysis that this mechanism ensures the funds reach rightful heirs through official channels rather than remaining with the employer. The decision repealed conflicting earlier provisions and took effect in November 2023.
Failure to meet the 10-day payment window or to deposit the entitlements with the ministry triggers an immediate administrative suspension of the employer’s file at the ministry, legal firms including Galadari Advocates have explained. The suspension remains in place until the company provides proof of compliance. This enforcement measure reinforces the labour law’s protections and has been integrated into the wider regulatory framework governing employment relationships.
The provisions sit within a series of recent clarifications on worker protections issued by UAE authorities, including lists of entitlements for domestic workers that also address payments to heirs in the event of death during service. Ayshams Law has documented that end-of-service gratuity calculations remain unchanged upon death and follow standard formulas based on length of service, with 21 days’ basic salary per year for the first five years and 30 days thereafter. Such measures form part of the ongoing updates to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 that continue to shape labour practices across the country.
