This article has been written by Dhruwal Kumar pursuing a Personal Branding Program for Corporate Leaders from Skill Arbitrage.

This article has been edited and published by Shashwat Kaushik.

Introduction

When it comes to business and job searches in the UAE, compliance and recruitment are very important. Compliance and recruitment are crucial when looking for a job or employer. It is therefore important that both employers and employees understand compliance and recruitment. Let’s take a look at the core of compliance and recruitment in the UAE.

Understanding compliance in the UAE

In the UAE, compliance refers to adhering to government laws, orders, rules and standards. In other words, it means abiding by guidelines that ensure ethical operation within legal boundaries on the part of individuals or companies. This involves aspects such as observance of tax rules, conformity with sector-specific regulations, and maintenance of a sound corporate culture. By facilitating orderliness in trade practice, consumer protectionism through the stabilisation of market rates can be achieved. Below are more facts about this subject matter:

Legal framework

The legal system in the UAE is a mix of civil law and Islamic law and operates at both the federal and local levels. Central laws apply throughout the seven emirates, but each Emirate may have additional regulations and rules. For example, while Dubai has specific guidelines on employment contracts and termination procedures, Abu Dhabi has more rules on employee housing and transportation allowances. Such extra regulations are meant to ensure that HR departments stay compliant with the various emirates.

Setting up a business

Indeed, getting a business started in the UAE means that there are some steps you must follow to make it legal and official. Firstly, you need to register your business with the government. This would be like giving your company an identification card in its name. The process of registration serves to notify the authorities about your firm’s existence as well as its nature of operations. After that is dealt with, one should obtain all necessary authorisations or licences from the relevant authorities concerned. It is almost like having all those rights that will allow you to operate your business without any difficulties at all These permits could differ from one trade to another; they can also vary depending upon where exactly in UAE you are located Think of it this way: by registering your business, you are telling the government that you exist, and getting licences is like saying, “Everything I need to carry out my activities”. It’s all about making everything formal and legal so that you can concentrate on running a successful company.

Labour laws

Labour law incorporates things like working hours, wages, leave and procedures for dismissal, among others. Employers should be well aware of these laws to foster an equitable work environment. For instance, the maximum weekly working hours stipulated under the UAE labour law are 48 hours, with most employees having Friday as their official day off. Employment terms such as salary, benefits and working conditions should therefore be clearly outlined in the form of legally binding contracts.

Taxation

In the UAE, there are often no taxes on what you make. However, depending on where you are or what exactly is going on, there may be some fees or taxes, which would be useful for you to know about. On some occasions, certain products and services become taxable while companies begin paying income tax, among other levies like VAT, in specific places. Understanding these taxation regulations is essential for businesses to ensure compliance and avoid any legal issues.

Understanding recruitment in UAE

Recruitment in the UAE is about finding, attracting and selecting competent potential personnel to fill positions at workplaces within the United Arab Emirates. In other words, it’s like a tool for catching fish while searching for the right people to perform certain jobs in companies or businesses here. It is a process that includes job posting, reviewing applications, conducting interviews and making job offers. All this involves matching an individual’s skills, qualifications and experience with those required by an organisation, as well as its culture. This can be seen as a marriage broker between employers and candidates, whereby both sides get matched. Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for a job in the UAE:

How to find jobs

Employers use social media platforms, job portals and recruitment agencies to advertise vacancies. The job posting should state the title of the position advertised, its responsibilities, the qualifications needed and the last date of application.

Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies are quite similar to personal career consultants, who modify their services according to your skills, experiences and ambitions so that they can find you an ideal job match. It is as good as having a professional help you go through job listings and interviews, guiding you to the job that you want and where you can grow. They don’t only get any jobs; they custom make it for you. Thus, whether you are a professional or a beginner, they are always there to defend your candidature and ensure that you are the best fit for the company.

Employment visa

Before bringing in foreign workers, companies should obtain approvals and permits. This includes essentially obtaining a labour card and residency visa for the employee. It depends on an employee’s nationality and his/her type of work so the process may vary.

Cultural diversity

The UAE offers various nationalities living and working together in one country. In this respect, businesses need to recruit their workforce from every corner of the world so that it becomes multicultural when other citizens are treated fairly.

Being fair

When recruiting employees, employers must treat them all equally, regardless of their place of origin or religion. Henceforth, fairness is an essential component in any workplace.

Onboarding process

A new entry into an organisation is called onboarding. It includes orientation, training, and introducing employees to company policies and procedures.

Compliance in recruitment

Compliance in recruitment involves adhering to the rules, laws and ethical principles of a country, as well as what is established by the government and concerned authorities for the hiring of workers. It ensures that all processes, starting from job advertisement up to hiring, are done in line with legal requisites and best practices in the industry, such as equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, race or any other basis, as well as following proper procedures for foreign hires’ work permits/visas. In other words, it’s like abiding by some ethical norms to ensure fairness during selection while keeping oneself within the limits of legality. Here are a few things to bear in mind:

Stay updated on the latest regulations

The legal landscape in the UAE changes so frequently; hence, you need to be conversant with these changes or if there are any updates on compliance requirements.

Work with experienced professionals

This will help business people overcome difficulties regarding compliance & recruitment through partnerships with HR professionals who are specialised in UAE law and attorneys.

Equal opportunity

Indiscriminately, every individual deserves a chance to get employed and any person who can work should be given the possibility to do so because of his or her personal qualifications. In that light, one must not make a distinction based on gender, background, or even age.

Protecting your information

When applying for jobs, your personal information must be kept secure. Employers are only supposed to use it while hiring you and they should ask your permission before giving it to other people.

No discrimination

Under UAE law, discrimination based on race, sex or nationality is outlawed. Therefore, businesses should ensure transparency and fairness in their recruitment processes, aiming to give an equal chance to all applicants, irrespective of their origins.

Being honest

Employers need to be open about details such as salary rates and working hours when offering jobs, specifically how much you will earn from this job and the duration of time that you will be required to spend working on a daily basis. Honesty therefore enables the employer, as well as the employees, to benefit altogether from being truthful

Watch out for scams

Job scammers may send fake offers or try stealing private data from unsuspecting victims at times; hence, one needs to always check anything suspicious with caution.

Work permits

There are 12 types of work permits available if you want to work in the UAE. The different types of work permits are:

• Employment Visa: This is the most common type of work permit, issued to foreign nationals who have been offered a job by a UAE-based employer.
• Mission Visa: This is a short-term work permit, typically issued for 14 to 90 days, and is suitable for individuals coming to the UAE for specific projects or assignments.
• Temporary Work Permit: This permit is issued for a duration of up to six months and is often used for seasonal or temporary work.
• Part-Time Work Permit: This allows individuals to work for more than one employer in the UAE, provided they have a primary employment visa.
• Student Work Permit: This permit allows students enrolled in UAE universities or colleges to work part-time during their studies.
• Golden Visa: This is a long-term residency visa, typically granted for 5 or 10 years, and is available to investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and individuals with exceptional talents.
• Green Visa: This is a 5-year residency visa that allows individuals to sponsor themselves without the need for an employer or sponsor. It is available to freelancers, skilled professionals, and investors.
• Freelance Visa: This permit is designed for individuals who want to work independently in specific sectors, such as media, technology, and education.
• Dependent Visa: This visa allows individuals to sponsor their family members (spouse, children, and parents) to live with them in the UAE.
• Domestic Worker Visa: This permit is for individuals who want to work as domestic helpers, such as maids, nannies, or drivers, in UAE households.
• Investor Visa: This visa is granted to individuals who make significant investments in the UAE economy.
• Retirement Visa: This visa is available to individuals over the age of 55 who meet certain financial criteria and wish to retire in the UAE.

The specific requirements and application process for each type of work permit may vary. It is essential to consult with the relevant authorities or seek professional advice to determine the most suitable permit for your circumstances.

The process for obtaining a work permit

The process for obtaining a work permit in the UAE involves several steps:

• Registering your business with the government: This is the first step in making your business legal and official in the UAE. It involves notifying the authorities about your firm’s existence and the nature of operations.
• Obtaining necessary authorisations or licences: After registering your business, you must obtain the necessary permits or licences from the relevant authorities. These permits may differ depending on the type of business and your location within the UAE.
• Obtaining a labour card and residency visa for the employee: Before bringing in foreign workers, companies should obtain a labour card and residency visa for the employee. The process may vary depending on the employee’s nationality and the type of work.
• The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) may cancel a work permit granted to a non-national if:
  • The worker continues to be unemployed for more than three consecutive months.
  • The worker no longer meets one or more conditions based on which the permit was granted.
  • It is determined that there is a qualified national to replace the non-national worker. In this case, the non-national worker can continue working until the expiration of their employment contract or work permit, whichever is earlier.

In addition to these steps, it’s important to comply with all UAE labour laws and regulations throughout the process. This includes ensuring fair treatment of employees, adhering to working hours and wage regulations, and providing a safe and healthy work environment.

Conclusion

At long last, compliance and recruitment are related to each other as an essential part of doing business and finding openings in the dynamic UAE’s job market. Adhering to legal frameworks, understanding labour laws, navigating tax regulations and embracing diversity are important for businesses to operate ethically and effectively. Likewise, for job seekers, understanding recruitment processes, utilising recruitment agencies and ensuring fairness and openness in hiring procedures are critical factors in accessing desirable jobs. Besides this, employers and employees should update themselves about the rules that govern them, work with old hands and be more careful about discrimination or swindling so that there is a safe working environment. It is through making sure that compliance becomes a priority in business, followed by adopting proper norms of recruitment, which will enable both businesses and prospective workers to make their contributions towards the success of the UAE’s developing economy.