Do you want to work part-time but you are concerned about how it would affect your current job? To help UAE workers understand their labor rights, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE) has spoken out. It informed them of the provisions of a part-time contract.
In this article, you will learn everything about how the new UAE labor law benefits part-time workers. You will know what the UAE authorities said about it. Let us observe:
- What is a part-time contract?
- How many hours are you allowed to work in a part-time contract?
- Is there a requirement for clearance from the original employer?
- Can you get a part-time work permit?
- Is there apprehension about the staff working for a competitor?
- Do you need your employer’s or sponsor’s permission?
- What else do you need?
- What are the constraints?
- How can you apply for a work permit for part-time jobs?
- Is it worthwhile to invest in proper assistance?
- How can Connect Group help you obtain a part-time contract?
1. What is a part-time contract?
Part-time employment simply entails working fewer hours per week than full-time work. Part-time employment sometimes requires working in shifts, and these shifts are rotating.
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1.1. The two primary advantages of working a part-time contract
1.1.1. Making room for new job opportunities
Part-time work can assist people in getting experience and training in industries they are unfamiliar with. Companies may be willing to recruit a motivated individual on a part-time basis if they exhibit a strong desire to learn the skill.
1.1.2. You will have the possibility of increasing your earnings
Although it may appear to be counter-intuitive, working part-time can occasionally allow an individual to earn more money. This happens, especially if they are capable of handling multiple jobs.
2. How many hours per week are you allowed to work part-time?
Dr. Ibrahim Al Banna, CEO of Ibrahim Al Banna Advocates and Legal Consultants, commented on this. He said that a part-time employment contract permits a person to work for another company for fewer hours per week than he/she works at the principal place of employment.
As a result, the number of work hours for a part-time position should be less than that of a full-time one. According to Dr. Al Banna, there is no set number of hours per week that is legally termed “part-time employment.” In addition, he explained what a part-time job is.
Part-time labor is defined as working hours that are fewer than the standard ones (eight hours per day). Hence, the worker will be able to work for more than one employer. In consequence, the number of hours you work in part-time employment must be negotiated and agreed upon by both parties.
Furthermore, he added another thing in accordance with Article 3 of the new UAE Labor Law. This definition is according to Ministerial Decree No. (31) of 2018. This law specifies that the principal employee must work a minimum of 20 hours each week. However, the country’s labor laws will determine the maximum number of hours.
3. Is there a requirement for clearance from the original employer?
Dr. Ibrahim reaffirmed a key point. Employees might work for more than one employer at the same time. Moreover, employees do not need the authorization of the original employer or any other employer for whom they work.
However, according to Dr. Al Banna, there are other conditions that you must meet in order to lawfully work part-time:
- The employee must fit into one of the Ministry’s skill levels 1, 2, or 3 occupations.
- In addition, the employer must get a Ministry of Labor work permit.
Furthermore, he explained that applying for a part-time work permit is quite straightforward. Also, this may be accomplished by presenting the signed part-time contract to the Ministry in order to obtain the work permit. The charge for a part-time work permit comprises an AED100 application fee and an AED500 approval fee.
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4. Can you get a part-time work permit?
Ahmed Elnaggar, the Managing Partner of Elnaggar & Partners, also spoke to Gulf News about the part-time work permit. He outlined who is eligible for the contract. He stated that all nationalities are eligible for a part-time employment permit.
However, employees must be over the age of 18, have a valid passport for more than six months, and have a legitimate residence. It is important to highlight that the initial employer’s consent is not required.
Nevertheless, Elnaggar stated that MoHRE provides part-time work permits and they are requested by the second employer, who is also a ministry-registered organization. This guarantees compliance with the requirements that the ministry specifies. On the other hand, a company that hires a part-time employee can only hire a specific person.
This person will perform a job within their area of activity that has the necessary and appropriate credentials. For example, the hiring company may be a trading or brokerage firm. Therefore, if you have the skills or training required for the position, you can work as a part-time salesperson.
5. Is there apprehension about the staff working for a competitor?
Elnaggar also discussed how the Ministry handles non-competition issues, which has certain criteria in place for providing part-time employment permits. He said he would argue that such dread is unfounded.
MOHRE will have access to the working title and the business of the employee and his sponsor firm. All this after analyzing the applications of the employees registered with MOHRE and subject to a part-time employment application.
In most circumstances, if there is a scenario of rivalry and/or conflict of interest, the application will be refused to safeguard the primary full-time employer.
It is also vital to know that any firm that hires a part-time worker without the required permission is breaking the law. According to Federal Decree-Law No. 2 of 2007, if an expatriate is detected working for another firm without official authorization, the hiring company will be fined AED50,000, in addition to harsher penalties if the act is repeated.
6. Do you need your employer’s or sponsor’s permission?
It is feasible to work two jobs without your primary employer’s permission. There is a new UAE labor law since 2010. This was to enable competent individuals to work part-time in addition to their full-time employment, subject to specific criteria.
There has been a lot of uncertainty about these criteria because the regulations fluctuate based on the individual’s status. Employees used to have a difficult situation since they needed to persuade their primary employers. They had to convince them that their part-time job would not interfere with or negatively influence their performance in their full-time role.
To make things easier, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) implemented a new system in 2018:
- Employees can now work several part-time jobs without the permission of their principal employer.
- The new UAE labor law allows businesses to hire talented individuals from inside the nation or from overseas on part-time contracts.
- Emirati, GCC nationals, and ex-pats on work visas can apply directly to the MoHRE for a part-time work permit.
This is fantastic news for employees who are struggling financially and want to enhance their wages. It also allows entrepreneurs to develop skills and expertise in a certain field before establishing a firm.
7. What else do you need?
If you are in the UAE on a family visa, you must still acquire a no-objection certificate (NOC) from your sponsor. You must submit this to the MoHRE in conjunction with your application for a part-time work permit.
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8. What are the constraints?
You must be “skilled” in your second job and work no more than eight hours every day. This new form of part-time employment in the UAE aims to offer employees greater freedom. This is while responding to the demands of companies in today’s labor market rather than importing labor from outside the UAE.
However, there are certain constraints:
- According to the new UAE labor law, you can take on a part-time job while already working full-time. Nonetheless, you must limit your additional employment to no more than eight hours per day.
- The new system’s most significant constraint is that you must be in a specialized field that demands scientific, technological, and administrative abilities. A university degree or higher is also required, as is a two (or three-year) certificate in a technical or scientific discipline.
- The primary employer must pay a ministerial charge ranging from AED150 to AED2000, while the secondary employer must pay AED100.
- The principal employer will continue to be liable for the employee’s annual leave, end-of-service benefits, and any other financial responsibilities relating to their real working hours.
9. How can you apply for a work permit for part-time jobs?
If you want to work part-time, you must first get a part-time work permit from the MoHRE. Permission is only good for a year. The AED600 charge is paid by your part-time employer and consists of an AED100 application fee and an AED500 approval fee.
If someone detects an ex-pat working for another firm without a valid UAE work visa, there will be legal repercussions. One of them may be that the hiring company faces an AED50,000 punishment. You can apply for a part-time work permit by printing off your application form at a Tas’heel service center. You must email this to the MoHRE and must include the following information:
- A copy of the trade license of the company for which you intend to work
- A color portrait of yourself
- A duplicate of your passport
- As needed, a letter of consent from the appropriate authorities
- Any applicable academic credentials
- A letter of authorization from your sponsor, if appropriate
- Your new employment contract (a copy)
- A copy of your resident visa that is valid for at least six months
The MoHRE checks and approves the appropriate documents after you have submitted them. The processing of the application will take two working days. In addition, if you want to start freelancing, we can certainly help you.
10. Is it worthwhile to invest in proper assistance?
Taking up an additional part-time job while already working is a relatively new notion in the UAE. However, it is gaining traction as a method to supplement income or study new business potential as a new business.
Although the procedure has recently been streamlined, there are still quite a few hoops you will need to go through. It is best to obtain assistance from a local specialist who is familiar with the application procedure for a part-time work visa in the UAE.
This will save you time, money, and keep you out of trouble with the police. That being said, the provisions of the new UAE labor law, as well as recent revisions to the application procedure, show that there is obviously a political intent to encourage those who wish to work a second job.
11. How can Connect Group help you obtain a part-time contract?
The UAE government has definitely made its citizens’ lives easier with the new UAE labor law. There is no doubt that the government is working on improving things. If you need a part-time job as a second income source, now you can get it without any approval.
In addition, Connect Group can help you by reaching out to one of the best companies specializing in obtaining visas. This is in order to get you some assistance on how to obtain a work visa.
Would you like to contact Connect Group to obtain more information? If you have any questions, you can email us at contact@connectgroup.co, and you will talk to one of our representatives who will answer your questions.
Apply now by sending us your CV to thetalentpoint.com. Note that we will not store CVs and resumes that you send to contact@thetalentpoint.com. Do not hesitate any longer!
