Sharjah Labour Law - Complete Guide for Job Seekers and Employees

Sharjah Labour Law: Essential Guide for Job Seekers and Employees

Sharjah, the third largest emirate in the UAE, has specific implementation mechanisms for federal labour laws along with some unique regulations. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of Sharjah's labour regulations, employee rights, dispute resolution processes, and essential information for anyone working or seeking employment in Sharjah.

Sharjah Labour Law Overview

Sharjah follows the UAE Federal Labour Law (Federal Law No. 33 of 2021) while implementing specific procedures and services through the Sharjah branch of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and other local authorities. Known for its cultural heritage and industrial focus, Sharjah has several unique aspects to its labour market and regulations.

Key Sharjah Labour Authorities

Sharjah MOHRE Branch: Primary authority for labour regulations and work permits
Sharjah Courts - Labour Court: Handles unresolved labour disputes
Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD): Regulates business activities and licenses
Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (Sharjah Branch): Manages employment visas and residency
Sharjah Free Zone Authorities: Manage employment in their respective free zones

Work Permits and Visas in Sharjah

Employment Visa Process in Sharjah

Employer obtains entry permit approval from MOHRE and Immigration
Employee enters Sharjah on entry permit
Employee undergoes medical examination at a Sharjah medical center
Employer processes Emirates ID application
Employer obtains work permit and residence visa
Employee obtains Emirates ID and labour card

Sharjah-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
Juvenile Work Permit: For employees aged 15-18 (restricted conditions)
Student Training and Employment Permit: For university students
Freelance Permit: For self-employed professionals in Sharjah

Sharjah Free Zone Work Permits

Sharjah has several free zones with their own employment regulations. Major free zones include:

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone)
Hamriyah Free Zone
Sharjah Media City (Shams)
Sharjah Publishing City
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park

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

Employment Contract Rules in Sharjah

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

Contract Authentication

Mainland Sharjah 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

Sharjah-Specific Contract Considerations

Non-compete clauses are enforceable if reasonably limited in time and geographic scope
Probation periods cannot exceed six months
Sharjah employers must provide health insurance to all employees
Housing allowances or employer-provided housing is common for certain job categories
Sharjah has specific cultural and religious employment considerations (longer prayer breaks, etc.)

Working Hours and Public Holidays in Sharjah

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 Sharjah companies operate Sunday-Thursday with Friday-Saturday weekend
Sharjah strictly enforces the Friday prayer break (minimum 90 minutes)

Sharjah-Specific Working Hour Rules

Sharjah government has a unified working hour policy from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Many Sharjah employers follow a split-shift system (morning and evening work with afternoon break)
Stricter enforcement of reduced Ramadan hours compared to some other emirates
Women with children under 6 months may be entitled to additional break time

Sharjah Public Holidays

Sharjah 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 Sharjah

Wage Protection System (WPS)

Sharjah 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 Sharjah Labour Court

Minimum Wage

Sharjah 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
Sharjah's lower cost of living compared to Dubai (often reflected in salary packages)

Sharjah-Specific Benefits

Health Insurance: Mandatory for all employees
Transportation: Often provided or subsidized by employers (particularly industrial areas)
Housing: Housing allowance or company accommodation for certain categories
Annual Flight Tickets: Common benefit for expatriate employees
Family Status: Sharjah has family-friendly policies including family status visas for qualifying employees

Sharjah Labour Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution Process

Amicable Settlement: Initial attempt to resolve the issue with the employer
MOHRE Complaint: File a complaint through:
- MOHRE Sharjah office (Al Nahda area)
- MOHRE mobile application
- MOHRE call center (800 60)
- Tasheel service centers throughout Sharjah
Mediation: MOHRE attempts to mediate the dispute (14-day process)
Referral to Labour Court: If mediation fails, the case is referred to Sharjah Labour Court
Labour Court Proceedings: Case is heard and decided by specialized judges

Sharjah Labour Court Features

No court fees for claims under AED 100,000
Fast-track procedures for straightforward cases
Available interpretation services
Sharjah courts have a reputation for strict enforcement of labour rights
Electronic case filing and tracking system

Termination of Employment in Sharjah

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

Sharjah 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)

Sharjah-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
Sharjah employers often require more detailed handover procedures than other emirates

Special Categories of Workers in Sharjah

Domestic Workers

Domestic workers in Sharjah 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

Industrial and Construction Workers

Sharjah has a large industrial and construction workforce with specific regulations:

Mandatory midday break from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM during summer months (June-September)
Stricter accommodation standards for worker housing
Special transportation arrangements for industrial area workers
Enhanced health and safety requirements in industrial zones

Pregnant Women and New Mothers

Sharjah 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
Sharjah has additional family-friendly policies in government departments

Common Labour Violations and Fines in Sharjah

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

Sharjah Free Zone Employment Regulations

Sharjah's free zones have their own employment regulations, though they generally align with the UAE Federal Labour Law:

SAIF Zone: Simplified visa processes and flexible sponsorship arrangements
Hamriyah Free Zone: Specialized industrial employment regulations and safety standards
Sharjah Media City (Shams): Freelance and creative industry employment options
Sharjah Publishing City: Specific publishing and media industry work permits

Free zone employees should familiarize themselves with the specific regulations of their zone.

COVID-19 Labour Measures in Sharjah

Sharjah 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 health screening for industrial workers

Essential Tips for Job Seekers in Sharjah

Only accept job offers from legally established Sharjah 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
Understand Sharjah's cost of living and cultural considerations before accepting employment
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
Be aware of Sharjah's more conservative cultural environment compared to Dubai

Additional Resources

This information is provided as a general guide to Sharjah 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.