Top

Updates, Special Reports And Advice For Employers

You are here: Home / United Arab Emirates / UAE: New resolution sets limits on the number of employees permitted to work at the employer’s premises during COVID-19 pandemic

UAE: New resolution sets limits on the number of employees permitted to work at the employer’s premises during COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 24 2020

On 29 March 2020, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued Resolution No. 281 of 2020 on remote working in the private sector, limiting the percentage of an employer’s workforce, which may work at the employer’s premises during the current during the current period applying precautionary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

This resolution limits the percentage of an employer’s workforce that can physically continue to work from the employer’s premises to 30% (companies performing certain activities are exempt from this requirement, such as, food and health). Companies are also required to limit the number of customers visiting their premises to 30% of their seating capacity and to strictly observe health and safety precautions. For those employees working on the premises, employers are required to implement protective measures, including providing screening devices on the premises to take employee temperature and check symptoms of the virus twice a day, and refer suspected cases to the health authorities.

For those employees working remotely, employers priority should be given to pregnant women, those aged 55 and above, those with disabilities, respiratory or chronic diseases and female workers who are mothers of children in grade 9 and below. Employers are also required to comply with the temporary guide for remote working in private sectors which requires, for example, that the employer provides the relevant technical equipment to facilitate home working and determining mechanisms for the management of remote working.

This resolution applies to companies falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Currently, Dubai has in place a 24 hour curfew and therefore, save for some exception, companies in Dubai currently have to observe such curfew notwithstanding this resolution.

 

For more information on these articles or any other issues involving labour and employment matters in the United Arab Emirates, please contact Rebecca Ford (Partner) at Clyde & Co at Rebecca.Ford@clydeco.ae or visit www.clydeco.com.