In application of the provisions of this Decree by law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires: State: United Arab Emirates. Ministry: Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation. Minister: Minister of Human Resources & Emiratisation. Private Sector: Companies, institutions, establishments, or any other entities wholly owned by individuals or jointly with the federal or local government, and companies and establishments wholly owned by the federal or local government unless their Articles of Associations stipulate that they are subject to the provisions of another law. Establishment: Every economic, technical, industrial or commercial unit, or any other unit approved in the State, in which Workers are employed and whose objective is to produce or market commodities or to provide services, and which is licensed by the Competent Authorities. Employer: Every natural or legal person employing one or more Workers in return for a Wage. Worker: Every natural person authorised by the Ministry to work for one of the licensed Establishments in the State, under the supervision and direction of the Employer. Juvenile: Every person who is between fifteen and eighteen years of age. Work: Every human effort, whether intellectual, technical or physical, performed according to different types of work. Work Permit: A document issued by the Ministry, according to which a natural person is allowed to work for a licensed Establishment. Employment Contract: Every agreement concluded between the Employer and the Worker, in which the latter commits to work for the Employer and under his supervision and direction, in return for a wage that the employer is obligated to pay, according to the contract forms specified by the Executive Regulations of this Decree by law. Probation Period: The period that may be required by the Employer, which enables the Employer to evaluate the Worker's performance, and enables the Worker to become familiar with his job duties and familiarise himself with the work environment, and according to which he shall determine whether the employment contract shall be continued or terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Decree by law. Warning Period: The notice period specified in the employment contract, which both parties to the contract shall abide by in the event that either of them wishes to terminate the employment contract. Basic Wage: The wage specified in the employment contract, which is paid to the Worker in return for his work under the employment contract, on a monthly, weekly, daily, hourly or piece-meal basis, and does not include any other allowances or benefits in kind. Wage: The basic wage, plus the cash allowances and benefits in kind that are decided for the Worker under the employment contract or this Decree by law, and it may include: The benefits in kind that the Employer is obligated to provide to the Worker or their cash equivalent, if they are determined as part of the wage in the employment contract or the Articles of Association of the Establishment, or the allowances to which the Worker is entitled to in return for the effort he exerts, or the risks he is exposed to in the performance of his work, or any other reasons; or the allowances given to meet the high cost of living, or a percentage of sales, or a percentage of the profits paid in return for what the worker markets, produces, or collects. Business Day: The official working day determined by the resolutions implementing this Decree by law. Workplace: The work location agreed upon in the employment contract, or in which the worker performs the duties and services agreed upon for the employer. Continuous Service: The uninterrupted service with the same Employer or his legal successor from the date of commencement of work. Day Labourer: Every worker receiving a daily wage. Work Injury: Any of the occupational diseases stipulated in the table issued by virtue of Cabinet resolution or any other injury arising from the Worker's work and sustained by the Worker while performing and as a result of such work. It is deemed as Work Injury any accident proven to be sustained by the Worker on his way to or back from his work, without any stopping or diversion from the usual route. Medical Authority: Any federal or local government entity concerned with health affairs or any private health facility licensed to provide health services in the State. Worker's family: Wife or husband, and male and female children. Individual Labour Disputes: Any dispute between the Employer and one Worker individually, the subject matter of which is related to this Decree by law, its Executive Regulation and the resolution issued in implementation thereof. Collective Labour Disputes: Any dispute between the Employer and his Workers, the subject matter of which is related to the common interest of all Workers or a group of them.
Interpretation and application must be checked against the official text and current version.