Does UAE labour law prohibit workplace discrimination?
Yes. Article 4 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin or disability that impairs equal opportunity or equal treatment in employment, keeping a job and its benefits. Employers may not discriminate between workers doing similar tasks.
On this page
What is not discrimination
Rules and regulations that aim to increase UAE citizens' participation in the labour market, such as Emiratisation targets, are expressly not discrimination.
Construction workforces
Site workforces often group by nationality. Paying different rates for the same trade and grade based on nationality would be discrimination between workers doing similar tasks. Rates should follow grade, skill and experience.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Salary grades are set centrally, and each employee's grade and components are on their record, so pay for the same trade and grade can be checked for gaps that have no basis in skill or experience.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A contractor pays Nationality A masons AED 1,600 and Nationality B masons AED 1,300 for the same work and grade. Article 4 prohibits that difference unless it is based on something other than nationality, such as documented skill level.
Questions people ask
Which grounds are listed?
Race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin and disability.
Are Emiratisation rules discrimination?
No, Article 4 excludes them.
Does it cover hiring?
Yes, employment, keeping a job and its benefits.