Dubai amends laws to prevent exploitation of 'workers on visit visas'

Dubai: In a bid to ensure the safety of expatriate workers, the authorities have amended its labour law, significantly increasing fines for companies recruiting individuals on visit visas. The new penalties range from AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000.

As part of this amendment, companies found hiring workers without a labour permit will also face stringent legal action. This move comes in response to recurring incidents where companies exploit workers on visit visas by not paying them their salaries.

UAE law strictly prohibits individuals on visit visas from engaging in employment. However, it remains common for expatriates on visit visas to approach companies in search of jobs, and for companies to hire them despite the legal restrictions. While some employers do proceed to issue work visas for such employees, many exploit this loophole, cheating workers without fulfilling their promises.

Visit visa is different from entry permit

Previously, fines for hiring workers without valid work visas ranged from AED 50,000 to AED 200,000. Last week's amendment has multiplied this penalty several times over. With the implementation of the new law, authorities expect a significant decrease in the exploitation of workers on visit visas.

Some companies have also been found luring individuals on visit visas with the false promise of employment. These employers often deceive workers into believing they will be granted a job, only to borrow money from them. UAE law clearly states that companies must bring workers into the country on entry permits, not visit visas. Once in the country, employers are required to complete the necessary procedures for residency visas and formal work contracts. Any recruitment that fails to follow these protocols will be deemed illegal.

Offer letter is mandatory

Legal experts emphasize that companies should avoid hiring expatriates on visit visas. Workers must not begin employment without first receiving an official offer letter from the Ministry of Human Resources. Violators will face severe legal consequences in addition to hefty fines.

Exploiting vulnerable workers
Many establishments continue to exploit the vulnerable position of individuals who enter the UAE on visit visas in search of work. These employers dangle the promise of work visas, coercing workers to extend their visit visas at their own expense, only to send them back without paying them a single Dirham in wages.

Tragically, most victims cannot file complaints. This is because they, too, would face legal consequences for the offence of working on a visit visa. The law offers no protection to those who break it, even if they have been deceived. As a result, many victims refrain from reporting job fraud, fearing further legal repercussions.

Arrival with hope and return with mounting debt
For most of these workers, the only option is to rely on the goodwill of voluntary organizations or their embassy for basic needs like food, shelter, or even help returning home. Renewing a visit visa costs over AED 1,000 each time, forcing workers to scramble for funds. With no other options, many borrow money from friends in the UAE or family back home. These workers also have to cover their food and accommodation costs during this period, often requiring financial support from the family back home.

After accumulating massive debts in the hope of repaying them once they secure a job, many are left stranded, unable to find employment or pay back what they owe. Ultimately, they return home empty-handed, burdened by the very debts they came to escape. The recent changes in visit visa rules and labour laws have been enacted to prevent these tragic situations in the future.

The new regulations also require individuals arriving in the UAE on visit visas to have sufficient funds to cover their expenses and secure accommodations in advance.