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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued a fresh advisory on labour compliance that Emirates 24|7 covered in detail on Friday. Violations are punishable by fines of no less than Dh100,000 and no more than Dh1 million for anyone who employs a worker without complying with the provisions of the Labour Law. A report in Emirates 24|7 noted that the ministry highlighted five specific breaches as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight in the private sector.
According to the MOHRE warning reported by Emirates 24|7, the five labour law violations encompass employing a worker without obtaining the required work permit, recruiting a worker without providing genuine employment, using a work permit for a purpose other than the one for which it was issued, closing a business without settling the rights of workers, and employing a minor in violation of the law. The advisory also addresses any act of circumvention of regulations governing the labour market, including fictitious employment or Emiratisation practices. Fines can be multiplied according to the number of workers involved, the ministry’s outline stated.
Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 raised the maximum penalty for these offences from Dh200,000 to Dh1 million while increasing the minimum from Dh50,000 to Dh100,000, a compliance guide published by Concept Advocates explained. The amendments, which took effect in August 2024, also expanded the ministry’s role in issuing binding decisions on qualifying disputes up to Dh50,000. Such changes form part of a wider push to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the labour market.
MOHRE enforcement actions have included flagging 1,300 establishments for fake employment practices in the first half of 2025, Gulf News reported at the time. Those cases resulted in more than Dh34 million in fines along with suspension of work permits and downgrading of the firms within the ministry’s rating system. The regulator continues to apply both financial penalties and operational restrictions to promote genuine employment relationships.
Members of the public and workers can report 11 categories of labour violations to MOHRE, a September 2026 article in Gulf News detailed. These range from forced labour and sexual harassment to failure to pay end-of-service benefits, breaches of heat-stress rules and violations of occupational health and safety standards. Reports may be filed through the MOHRE app, the ministry website or the Labour Claims and Advisory Centre on 80084.
Guidance from Velmont Crest indicates that repeat offences within one year can lead to doubled fines or additional sanctions including potential imprisonment in extreme cases. The labour law prohibits any work from commencing without a valid permit from the ministry, with even unpaid training or trial shifts considered non-compliant if conducted beforehand. Employers found in breach may also encounter suspension of new permit issuance and broader service restrictions from MOHRE.
