UAE employment contracts now offered in 11 languages

ABU DHABI // The Ministry of Labour is now offering labour contracts and other employment documentation in 11 languages.

“Arabic and English are obligatory in the job offer, contract and annexes, in addition to a third language comprehensible to the worker wishing to come to the United Arab Emirates, to change establishments or who was upgraded and requires a new labour card. The same is applicable to renewed contracts,” said Hamid bin Dimas Al Suwaidi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour.

According to Al Ittihad, The National's sister publication, Mr Al Suwaidi said the nine other available languages are Bengali, Chinese, Dari, Indian, Malay, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Tamil, and Urdu, indicating these were the languages of workers from key labour exporting countries to the UAE.

He said the decision seeks to increase transparency and ensure workers fully understand the terms and conditions as well as their rights and obligations, before joining a company.

Employers will be subject to Dh20,000 fine if a worker is made to sign a contract which they have not read and understood.