UAE: New Law on Work-Related Injuries Announced

(WAM) A new resolution regarding work-related illnesses and injuries, as well as the obligations of employers, was released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

The resolution clarifies how workplace accidents and illnesses should be recorded in a database.

There are multiple ways to report any occupational accident, including calling the call centre at (600) 590-000, visiting businessmen service centres, or through the ministry's smart applications.

The employer is obliged to:

• Input information about the company, the injured employee.
• Add the date and severity of the injury.
• To treat and compensate an injured worker for any work-related illness or injury.
• Provide a brief account of the accident’s circumstances, and first aid and treatment protocols.

The report is automatically included in the national system for work injuries.

Calculation of Work Injury Compensation

The value of the work injury compensation is calculated based on the worker's most recent basic salary. The worker receives compensation after the release of the medical report indicating the percentage of impairment within a maximum of 10 days.

If the work injury or illness results in the worker’s death, the compensation is paid to his or her legal heirs in accordance with the country’s laws, or in accordance with what the person decides before passing away.

If a worker sustains a partial disability as a result of an occupational illness, or injury, the worker will be compensated with a portion of the value of permanent complete disability, in accordance with the percentages outlined in the Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022.

A specialised medical committee will decide whether there is a complete or partial disability in both circumstances, and the amount of compensation due to the worker in the event of a permanent complete disability is equal to the amount due in the event of death.

For example, if the worker’s basic salary was AED1,000 and the partial disability percentage was 25 percent, the compensation would be as follows: 25 percent of partial disability multiplied by the basic wage for 24 months results in AED6,000.

The employer shall not end the working relationship and cancel the contract before the injured or ill worker receives all benefits,