Fujairah Labour Law: Essential Guide for Job Seekers and Employees

Fujairah, the only emirate located entirely on the Gulf of Oman, has specific implementation mechanisms for federal labour laws along with some unique regulations. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of Fujairah's labour regulations, employee rights, dispute resolution processes, and essential information for anyone working or seeking employment in Fujairah.

Fujairah Labour Law Overview

Fujairah follows the UAE Federal Labour Law (Federal Law No. 33 of 2021) while implementing specific procedures and services through the Fujairah branch of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and other local authorities. With its growing economy centered around the Port of Fujairah, oil storage facilities, maritime services, tourism, and free zones, Fujairah offers diverse employment opportunities in a less congested environment with a relatively lower cost of living.

Key Fujairah Labour Authorities

  • Fujairah MOHRE Branch: Primary authority for labour regulations and work permits
  • Fujairah Courts - Labour Court: Handles unresolved labour disputes
  • Fujairah Municipality: Oversees local regulations affecting businesses and workers
  • Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (Fujairah Branch): Manages employment visas and residency
  • Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA): Manages employment in Fujairah Free Zone
  • Creative City Fujairah: Manages media and creative industry free zone employment

Work Permits and Visas in Fujairah

Employment Visa Process in Fujairah

  1. Employer obtains entry permit approval from MOHRE and Immigration
  2. Employee enters Fujairah on entry permit
  3. Employee undergoes medical examination at a Fujairah medical center
  4. Employer processes Emirates ID application
  5. Employer obtains work permit and residence visa
  6. Employee obtains Emirates ID and labour card

Fujairah-Specific Work Permit Types

  • Regular Work Permit: Standard permit for full-time employees (2-year validity)
  • Mission Work Permit: For temporary projects (up to 6 months)
  • Part-Time Work Permit: For employees working for multiple employers
  • Free Zone Work Permit: For employees in Fujairah Free Zone or Creative City
  • Maritime Sector Permit: Specialized permits for port and maritime workers
  • Oil and Gas Sector Permit: For employees in Fujairah's significant oil storage industry

Fujairah Free Zone Work Permits

Fujairah has multiple free zones with specialized work permit processes:

  • Fujairah Free Zone (FFZA): Focuses on industrial, trading, and service businesses
  • Creative City Fujairah: Specializes in media and creative industry businesses
  • Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ): For oil storage and related industries

Benefits of free zone employment include:

  • Streamlined visa processing
  • Flexible sponsorship options
  • Various visa packages based on business type and size
  • Freelance permit options through Creative City
  • Competitive visa costs compared to other emirates

Work permits and visas for free zone companies are processed by the respective free zone authority rather than MOHRE.

Employment Contract Rules in Fujairah

All employment relationships in Fujairah must be documented through a contract that complies with UAE labour law. Key Fujairah-specific aspects include:

Contract Authentication

  • Mainland Fujairah employers must register employment contracts with MOHRE
  • Free zone employers register contracts with their respective free zone authority
  • Contracts must be in both Arabic and English (Arabic prevails in case of disputes)
  • Digital contracts are recognized through the MOHRE smart services platform

Fujairah-Specific Contract Considerations

  • Non-compete clauses are enforceable if reasonably limited in time and geographic scope
  • Probation periods cannot exceed six months
  • Fujairah employers must provide health insurance to all employees
  • Housing allowances or employer-provided housing is common, particularly in industrial areas
  • Many Fujairah employers provide transportation due to limited public transport options
  • Remote work provisions are increasingly common in certain sectors

Working Hours and Public Holidays in Fujairah

Standard Working Hours

  • 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week for private sector employees
  • 7 hours per day or 35 hours per week for government employees
  • 6 hours per day during Ramadan for all Muslim employees
  • Most Fujairah companies operate Sunday-Thursday with Friday-Saturday weekend
  • Port, maritime, and hospitality sectors may have shift-based schedules

Fujairah Public Holidays

Fujairah employees are entitled to paid leave during official public holidays, which include:

  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Eid Al Fitr (approximately 3 days)
  • Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha (approximately 3 days)
  • Islamic New Year
  • Prophet Mohammed's Birthday
  • Commemoration Day (December 1)
  • UAE National Day (December 2-3)

Dates for Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar and moon sightings, so they vary each year.

Salary and Benefits in Fujairah

Wage Protection System (WPS)

Fujairah strictly enforces the WPS, requiring all employers to pay salaries through authorized financial institutions. Non-compliance results in:

  • Fines starting at AED 5,000 per employee
  • Ban on new work permits
  • Possible legal action from Fujairah Labour Court

Minimum Wage

Fujairah does not have an official minimum wage, but salary standards are often based on:

  • Industry norms and market rates
  • Nationality-based salary requirements for visa eligibility
  • Job classification in MOHRE's skill level categories
  • Lower salary scales compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reflecting the lower cost of living
  • Higher salaries for specialized oil, gas, and maritime sectors

Fujairah-Specific Benefits

  • Health Insurance: Mandatory for all employees
  • Transportation: Often provided by employers due to limited public transportation
  • Housing: Housing allowance or company accommodation is common in industrial zones
  • Annual Flight Tickets: Common benefit for expatriate employees
  • Industry-Specific Benefits: Additional allowances for hazardous or remote work in oil/port sectors

Fujairah Labour Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution Process

  1. Amicable Settlement: Initial attempt to resolve the issue with the employer
  2. MOHRE Complaint: File a complaint through:
    • MOHRE Fujairah office
    • MOHRE mobile application
    • MOHRE call center (800 60)
    • Tasheel service centers in Fujairah
  3. Mediation: MOHRE attempts to mediate the dispute (14-day process)
  4. Referral to Labour Court: If mediation fails, the case is referred to Fujairah Labour Court
  5. Labour Court Proceedings: Case is heard and decided by specialized judges

Fujairah Labour Court Features

  • No court fees for claims under AED 100,000
  • Fast-track procedures for straightforward cases
  • Available interpretation services
  • Generally shorter waiting periods due to smaller caseload
  • Electronic case filing and tracking system

Termination of Employment in Fujairah

Notice Periods and Procedures

  • Minimum 30 days, maximum 90 days notice (as specified in contract)
  • Notice must be in writing and acknowledged by both parties
  • Payment in lieu of notice is permissible by mutual agreement
  • Employee must be allowed reasonable time off during notice period to seek new employment

End of Service Benefits

Fujairah strictly enforces end-of-service gratuity payments calculated as:

  • 21 days' basic salary for each year of the first five years of service
  • 30 days' basic salary for each additional year
  • Maximum gratuity capped at two years' total salary
  • Gratuity is calculated on basic salary excluding allowances
  • Pro-rata calculation for partial years (if exceeding one year of total service)

Fujairah-Specific Termination Rules

  • Employer must cancel work permit and visa within 30 days of employment termination
  • Employer must provide end-of-service documentation including:
    • Experience certificate
    • Final settlement statement
    • Gratuity calculation
    • Clearance letter for new employment
  • Labour bans no longer apply in most legitimate termination cases
  • Employees in employer-provided accommodation typically have 30 days to vacate after termination
  • Special clearance procedures for port, oil, and maritime sector employees

Special Categories of Workers in Fujairah

Maritime and Port Workers

Fujairah has one of the world's largest bunkering ports with specific regulations:

  • Special safety training and certification requirements
  • Enhanced health and safety standards
  • Port security clearance procedures
  • Shift work arrangements specific to port operations
  • Additional allowances for hazardous work conditions

Oil and Gas Sector Workers

With Fujairah's significant oil storage facilities, specific considerations include:

  • Specialized safety training and certifications
  • Enhanced health monitoring and medical requirements
  • Rotation schedules for certain positions
  • Industry-specific security clearances
  • Higher compensation packages compared to other sectors

Tourism and Hospitality Workers

With Fujairah's growing tourism sector, specific regulations include:

  • Flexible shift patterns and seasonal work arrangements
  • Service charge distribution regulations
  • Special accommodation arrangements in resort areas
  • Multiple day-off patterns due to weekend business

Domestic Workers

Domestic workers in Fujairah are covered by Federal Law No. 10 of 2017, which provides basic protections including:

  • Maximum 12 working hours per day with rest breaks
  • One day off per week
  • 30 days of paid annual leave
  • Medical insurance coverage
  • Round-trip tickets home every two years
  • Decent accommodation and meals

Pregnant Women and New Mothers

Fujairah enforces maternity protections including:

  • 60 calendar days of maternity leave (45 days full pay, 15 days half pay)
  • Additional 45 days unpaid leave for illness related to pregnancy or delivery
  • Two daily 30-minute breaks for nursing for 18 months after delivery
  • Protection from termination due to pregnancy

Common Labour Violations and Fines in Fujairah

Employer Violations and Penalties

Violation Fine (AED)
Employing workers without work permits 50,000 per worker
Hiring workers sponsored by other companies 50,000 per worker
Late salary payment 5,000-50,000 (depends on days delayed and number of workers)
Failure to provide health insurance 500-150,000 (depending on number of employees)
Failing to maintain employee records 1,000-20,000
Forcing employees to work during midday break (June-September) 5,000-50,000

Employee Violations and Penalties

Violation Penalty
Working without a valid work permit AED 5,000 fine and possible deportation
Absconding (leaving job without proper notice) One-year employment ban and visa cancellation
Violating confidentiality or competitive restrictions Fines, compensation for damages, and possible employment ban
Unauthorized access to port or oil facilities Additional security-related penalties and possible criminal charges

Fujairah Free Zone Employment Regulations

Fujairah has multiple free zones with specific employment advantages:

Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA)

  • 100% foreign ownership of businesses
  • Streamlined visa processing services
  • More flexible sponsorship arrangements
  • Corporate packages with visa allocations based on business type and size
  • Special industrial zone employment regulations

Creative City Fujairah

  • Focused on media, creative industries, and consultancy services
  • Freelance permit options for creative professionals
  • Virtual office options with linked visas
  • Specialized packages for digital nomads and remote workers
  • Lower operational costs compared to similar free zones in Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ)

  • Specialized in oil storage and related services
  • Enhanced security and safety requirements
  • Industry-specific employment practices
  • Higher salary scales reflecting specialized skills

Employees in Fujairah free zones should familiarize themselves with the specific regulations of their zone.

COVID-19 Labour Measures in Fujairah

Fujairah has implemented various labour measures in response to the pandemic, including:

  • Remote work regulations and guidelines
  • Workplace safety and health protocols
  • Virtual dispute resolution services
  • Digital contract registration and visa processing
  • Support programs for affected businesses and employees
  • Enhanced safety measures for port and oil sector workers

Essential Tips for Job Seekers in Fujairah

  • Only accept job offers from legally established Fujairah companies
  • Verify that your employer has obtained proper work permits and visas
  • Keep digital copies of all important documents (passport, visa, contract, qualifications)
  • Ensure your contract is registered with MOHRE or the relevant free zone authority
  • Consider transportation options, as public transport is limited in Fujairah
  • Take advantage of Fujairah's lower cost of living compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi
  • Know your rights regarding working hours, overtime, and leave
  • Calculate your end-of-service benefits before resigning
  • Follow proper resignation procedures to avoid employment bans
  • Register complaints promptly if your rights are violated
  • Obtain necessary industry certifications for port, maritime, or oil sectors before applying

Additional Resources

This information is provided as a general guide to Fujairah labour laws. Laws and regulations may change, and specific cases may vary. For the most current and personalized advice, consult with a legal professional specializing in UAE employment law.