UAE: Two fined Dh600,000 for hiring 12 illegal workers
Stricter labor law enforcement leads to penalties for illegal hiring and increased inspections across the country
UAE Takes Strict Action Against Illegal Employment: Two Fined Dh600,000
Illegal Hiring Leads to Hefty Fines
A UAE court has imposed a Dh600,000 fine on two individuals for illegally employing 12 workers. The offenders were caught during inspections in February, and the workers involved were fined Dh1,000 each before being deported.
Extensive Inspections to Enforce Residency Laws
Last month, 252 inspections were carried out by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) to look for infractions of residency laws. Authorities inspected 4,771 businesses, which resulted in some unlawful workers being arrested.
The hiring of personnel without the required authorization and permitting people to work for businesses other than their official employers were among the violations that authorities found.
These violations carry severe penalties, including hefty fines and deportation for those found guilty.
Strict Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Major-General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, the ICP’s director-general, warned that employing or housing illegal workers could result in fines of up to Dh50,000. The same penalty applies to those who recruit workers but fail to provide them with jobs, allowing them to work elsewhere.
Repeated violations will lead to serious consequences.
Advice to employers and workers
Authorities have urged businesses and individuals to comply with residency laws when hiring workers. To avoid legal consequences, employers are advised to avoid hiring individuals without formal contracts.
Ongoing Crackdown Following Visa Amnesty
Inspections have increased in the United Arab Emirates after a four-month visa amnesty ended in December. Residency violators had two options during the grace period: obtain lawful employment status or depart the country without being banned.
In January alone after the amnesty, the ICP deported the majority of the 6,000 violators it had apprehended. Strict enforcement of residence and labor laws is ensured by the authority’s ongoing worldwide inspections, which are intended to find and prosecute any outstanding infractions.
