What compensation is due for a work injury in the UAE?
The employer pays treatment until recovery or proven disability, plus the full wage during treatment for up to six months and half wage for up to six more. Article 37 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 also gives the family 24 months' basic wage on death, at least AED 18,000 and at most AED 200,000.
Permanent disability
Compensation for permanent full or partial disability is set by Cabinet resolution, which defines the injuries, the procedures and the amounts. The family's death compensation is in addition to end-of-service benefits and other entitlements.
When nothing is due
Article 38 removes compensation where investigation proves the worker injured himself deliberately, was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, deliberately broke displayed safety instructions, acted with wilful misconduct, or refused treatment without serious reason. Displaying safety rules visibly on site therefore matters legally as well as practically.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Injury absence can be recorded as its own leave type with dates, so payroll pays full or half wage for the right days and the six-month boundaries are visible in the leave ledger.
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 scaffolder with a total monthly wage of AED 2,400 is injured and cannot work for eight months. He receives full wage for six months, AED 14,400, then half wage for two months, AED 2,400. The employer also pays his treatment.
Questions people ask
Is the wage during treatment basic or total?
Article 37 says the full wage during the first six months.
What is the minimum death compensation?
AED 18,000, and the maximum is AED 200,000.
Does breaking safety rules remove compensation?
Only if the breach was deliberate and of displayed instructions, proven by investigation.