This week the spotlight is on employment law developments in the UAE, where the country’s Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry has announced it has issued a Decision allowing companies to hire employees on a part-time basis. It is hoped the change will create a more flexible labour market in the country and reduce the country’s dependency on expatriate employees. However, a part-time contract cannot be changed into a full-time contract unless it is terminated first. Under the Decision, part-time employees must work no more than eight hours a day and have at least one day off a week. Employees will also be able to work in first and second level skilled jobs for more than one employer providing they have obtained Ministry approval. They will not need the approval of either their original or new employer.

Elsewhere, according to local newspaper reports, the application of the Good Conduct Certificate requirement has been extended. It now applies to existing workers in the country who are switching jobs regardless of their length of service. This dispels rumours in February 2018 the requirement would not apply to this category. It means Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers are now the only ones exempt from the requirement.