New UAE Rules for 2024: Key Changes for Residents and Businesses

In 2024, the UAE introduced several significant regulations impacting residents and businesses. Here’s an overview of these new rules:

Notice Period Regulations:

The UAE has updated the rules regarding notice periods and contract termination. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), both employers and employees can terminate a contract, provided they comply with the contract’s terms.

In a recent post, the MOHRE stated: “Under The Regulation of Labour Relations Law and its Implementing Regulations, both parties can terminate the work contract as long as they’re complying with the terms and conditions of the notice period.”

Key points:

• Notice periods must be between 30 and 90 days.
• Employees are required to perform their duties throughout this period.
• Notice period compensation is based on the worker’s most recent wage.

Article 44 of the UAE Labour Law specifies that an employer may terminate an employee without notice if the employee:

• Adopts a false identity or submits forged documents.
• Commits an error causing substantial material loss to the employer.
• Violates safety instructions or fails to perform basic duties despite warnings.
• Divulges secrets, is found intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at work, or breaches public morals.
• Assaults colleagues or the employer, is frequently absent without a lawful excuse, or exploits their position for personal gain.

Updated Golden Visa Requirements:

Dubai has revised the requirements for obtaining a 10-year Golden Visa, particularly benefiting the real estate market. Property investors now need to own a property worth AED 2 million ($545,000) or more, regardless of the down payment amount or the property’s status.

E-Scooter Ban on Public Transport:

Effective from March 1, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has banned the use and carrying of e-scooters on Dubai Metro and Tram trains to ensure passenger safety. E-scooters must adhere to size regulations for luggage and be stored in designated areas within the train.

Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags

Starting June 1, Dubai banned single-use plastic bags, with exceptions for packaging meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, and bread. Garbage bags are also exempt. This initiative is part of a city-wide effort to phase out single-use products.

Banned single-use bags include:

• Any bag thinner than 57 micrometres
• Plastic bags
• Paper bags
• Bags made from biodegradable plant materials

Paid Parking at Dubai Mall:

Salik, in cooperation with Emaar Malls, announced that parking at Dubai Mall will become a paid service. The automated, barrier-free system will use vehicle plate recognition, with payments deducted from the customer’s Salik account. This system is expected to roll out in the third quarter of 2024.

New Telemarketing Rules:

The UAE introduced new regulations for telemarketing through phone calls. The Ministry of Economy and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) have stipulated strict penalties for violations, including fines up to Dh150,000. Effective from mid-August 2024, these rules aim to protect consumer privacy.

Key regulations:

• Firms must call customers only between 9 AM and 6 PM.
• No repeat calls if the offer is refused.
• Only one call per day or twice a week if unanswered.
• Calls must use local phone numbers registered under the company licence.

Emiratisation Targets

The UAE is expanding Emiratisation targets to include companies with 20 to 49 employees across 14 key economic sectors. Companies must employ at least one Emirati in 2024 and another in 2025. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has notified over 12,000 companies to comply with these targets.

Labour Regulation Amendments:

The MoHRE has implemented amendments to Federal Law No. 20 of 2023 regarding labour relations, effective from January 2024. These changes aim to enhance the UAE’s global labour market competitiveness by ensuring fair, transparent, and neutral contractual labour relations. The Ministry now resolves disputes involving amounts of AED 50,000 ($13,600) or less, streamlining the process for claimants.

Heavy Vehicle Regulations

The UAE will enforce a ban on heavy vehicles exceeding a maximum total weight of 65 tons from using the country’s roads to preserve infrastructure and enhance road safety. However, the implementation of this resolution has been postponed by the UAE Cabinet.

These new regulations reflect the UAE’s ongoing efforts to improve the business environment, enhance safety, and ensure sustainable development.

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