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UAE to Impose Fines of Up to Dh1 Million for Hiring Tourists

  • Publish date: Tuesday، 20 August 2024 Last update: Tuesday، 10 December 2024
UAE to Impose Fines of Up to Dh1 Million for Hiring Tourists

The UAE government has significantly increased fines for employers hiring workers on visit visas, as part of new amendments to the labor law. Legal experts emphasize that these changes are aimed at deterring illegal employment practices and protecting workers' rights.

The new penalties range from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for offenses such as employing individuals without a proper work permit and bringing workers to the UAE without providing them a legitimate job. This marks a substantial increase from the previous fine range of Dh50,000 to Dh200,000, highlighting the government's commitment to enforcing legal employment practices.

Exploitation of Visit Visa Holders

Some employers exploit visit visa holders by promising them residency and work permits, only to leave them without pay or legal status once their visas expire. Ali Saeed Al Kaabi, director at ECH Digital, pointed out that the new regulations will significantly reduce these exploitative practices. "The federal government’s decision will curb these malpractices and ensure that labor laws are adhered to," he said.

The Consequences of Illegal Employment

The impact of these illegal practices can be severe. South African expat Kieran Foury experienced firsthand the consequences of working on a visit visa. Arriving in Dubai in December 2023, he was promised an employment visa after his visit visa expired. However, after three months of working in a marketing role, he was let go and forced to pay a Dh5,500 fine at the airport for overstaying.

"The company kept telling me not to worry about my visa status, but in the end, I was left with nothing and had to rely on my father to pay the fine," Foury said.

The UAE government has made it clear that working on a visit or tourist visa is illegal. Expatriates offered jobs in the UAE are only allowed to work after receiving an official offer letter from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

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