The UAE’s Ministry of Labour (MoL) is finalising proposals that will make it possible to work part-time in the private sector later this year.
The plans, which will allow private sector companies to employ staff on a part-time basis, will be finalised in the next two to three months, an official told Arabian Business.
Humaid Bin Deemas, acting director general of the MoL, said the new regulations would benefit employers and employees alike, as well as being a boost to the UAE labour market.
“It’s a new regulation, so you can’t compare it, and is another step to proving that the UAE is a model for the region’s labour environment and market,” he said.
Currently, under UAE law the MoL can issue a temporary work permit which allows part time employment for a period of 90 days in exceptional cases.
Bin Deemas said the regulations would help improve the working lives of labourers and would cut the number of people working illegally in the country by providing more varied employment opportunities.
He also said the new rules would help working mothers by allowing them greater flexibility in the hours they work.
The proposals were compiled after studying the benefits of part-time working rules in some European countries, a spokesperson for the ministry said.
The plans are currently being discussed by the relevant government departments and will be approved before the end of the year, they added.
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