Littler Global Guide - United Arab Emirates - Q2 2022

Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

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Still No Executive Regulation on Data Protection Law Published

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Author: Dr. Luisa Rödemer, Senior Associate – vangard | Littler

The Federal Data Protection Law No. 45 of 2021 came into effect in the beginning of 2022 containing the first comprehensive legal framework on Data Protection within the United Arab Emirates. With this law, numerous obligations arise for employers especially regarding the personal data of their employees. It is yet to be clarified, when exactly the employer requires the written or electronic confirmation of the employee in order to process their data and when one of the exceptions of the Data Protection Law apply. The Executive Regulation governing such remaining questions was expected in March 2022 but is still not published. Consequently, the implementation deadline for employers (six months as per Art. 29 of the Data Protection Law) has not started yet.

Working Remote in the United Arab Emirates

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Author: Dr. Luisa Rödemer, Senior Associate – vangard | Littler

Working remotely – potentially all over the globe – becomes more and more relevant for employees and employers. The United Arab Emirates created a remote working visa, allowing employees living and being employed outside the United Arab Emirates to work remotely in the country for up to one year. The new labor law with its executive regulation include very flexible regulations on working time, which can be of great influence for allowing employees to work remotely in the United Arab Emirates. It is on the employer to regulate which day of the week shall be the employees’ rest day, while only one of such rest days is mandatory. However, special regulations during the holy month of Ramadan must be observed. On the other hand, being employed in the United Arab Emirates and working remotely abroad, it is on the employer to stipulate the working hours.

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.