Getting a new job in the UAE is a very exciting moment. It does not matter if you are coming from a different country or if you are just switching jobs inside the country; there is a set of hiring guidelines that is complied with in each case.
The offer letter is the main document of the whole process. It is a fact that in the UAE, an offer letter is much more than a piece of paper with the salary figure written on it. Actually, it is a legal instrument, which safeguards both the employer and the employee.
Most people find their perfect jobs through recruitment firms in UAE. These agencies act as a bridge between talent and companies. However, even if you engage a professional recruitment agency, it is of utmost importance that you understand the employment offer legal validity elements. Such awareness will guarantee that your rights are protected under the UAE Labour Law.
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has a standardized employment offer system. The very first step for an offer to be considered valid is that the employer issues a standard employment offer letter that is in line with the MOHRE template. This letter must specify all the terms and conditions of employment. The purpose behind this is to protect against contract substitution i.e. the practice of a company making one promise by email and giving a worker a totally different contract at a later time.
In order for an offer letter to be complete and valid, it must contain key basic information. Otherwise, you may encounter difficulties when carrying out your residency visa and work permit application process. The main elements of a valid offer are:
An offer letter amounts to a proposal only and nothing more until signatures are added to it. Under UAE laws, for such a document to be legally binding, it must be signed by both parties: the employer and the employee. So, if the candidate is located outside the country, the employer has to send the offer letter to the candidate in order that the latter can sign it either digitally or physically as a precondition of their entry permit application. This way, it is guaranteed that the worker has read and consented to the terms before even coming to the country.
While the UAE is a melting pot of cultures, the recognized language of the country is Arabic. For the purposes of government transactions, a letter of offer needs to be bilingual at least, one of the languages being Arabic and the other one being English (or the language the employee understands). In case of reference in court, it is the Arabic text that usually holds the most authority which is why it is crucial that the translation is precise.
After getting to the UAE or starting the official hiring procedure, you have to sign a "Standard Employment Contract" that is submitted to MOHRE. One of the main conditions for legal enforceability is that the provisions of the final contract are not less advantageous than those in the initial offer letter. It is impossible for the company to reduce your remuneration or extend your working hours in comparison to those you agreed upon in the offer letter.
Understanding these regulations can become complicated which is why lots of businesses and job seekers in UAE resort to recruitment companies. A knowledgeable recruitment agency is always up-to-date with the recent amendments of Labour Law and guarantees that all paperwork complies with the legal standards of the Ministry. They provide a check to make sure that the entire hiring scene remains clearly visible and just.
Want to hire top talent or looking for your next big career opportunity in the UAE? In that case, you will find our professional recruitment services in Dubai quite helpful. We offer recruitment made easy and always ensure compliance with the UAE laws. TASC Outsourcing is among the best recruitment agencies you can trust in the UAE for your compliance and hiring needs since we offer professional recruitment services.
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No. After the offer letter is signed and finalized, the employer cannot alter the terms for the employee to be less beneficial in any way unless it is a mutual agreement which will be in line with MOHRE guidelines.
Indeed so. Electronic signatures are recognized in the UAE. It has become very common for companies to resort to digital platforms when they have to get an offer letter signed especially when the person concerned is located in another country.
This depends on the conditions of the contract. It could well be that there is no financial penalty, however, it is considered unprofessional. On the other hand, if the work permit has already been processed, then there is a likelihood that there might be difficulties with future applications.
No. The offer letter is essentially a first legal document.
The official one produced for visa purposes is the MOHRE contract but it has to be in line with the offer letter.
No. In the UAE Labour Law, the probation period limit is 6 months. Any provision that offers a longer period is illegal.