The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has clarified six situations in which employees may not receive compensation for workplace injuries or occupational diseases.

The rules are part of the country’s occupational health and safety framework, which aims to reduce workplace accidents while ensuring employers and employees follow safety standards.

When compensation can be denied

According to MoHRE, employees may lose their right to compensation if they:

• Intentionally injure themselves.
• Are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances at the time of the incident.
• Deliberately ignore clearly displayed workplace safety instructions.
• Cause the injury through intentional misconduct.
• Refuse, without a valid reason, to undergo a medical examination or follow prescribed treatment.
• Are found by authorities to have intentionally violated workplace safety regulations.

Employer responsibilities

Under UAE labour laws, employers must provide a safe workplace by:

• Supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge.
• Training employees on workplace safety.
• Conducting health checks where required.
• Keeping records of workplace injuries and occupational diseases.
• Reporting workplace accidents to the relevant medical and police authorities.

Employers are also required to investigate workplace incidents and maintain health records for employees exposed to occupational risks.

Compensation rules

Employers must cover medical treatment costs for work-related injuries and occupational diseases.

Compensation is calculated based on the employee’s latest basic salary and should be paid within 10 days of the medical report determining the level of disability.

If a workplace injury results in permanent disability or death, compensation is paid according to UAE labour regulations, with the final assessment made by a specialised medical committee.

Importantly, employers cannot terminate an injured employee’s contract until all legal entitlements have been settled.

What counts as a work injury?

A work injury includes accidents that happen while performing job duties, as well as certain accidents during direct travel to or from work. Occupational diseases linked to an employee’s job are also covered under UAE law.

Focus on prevention

MoHRE says the regulations are designed to balance employee protection with personal responsibility. While workers are protected when injuries occur during the course of employment, they are also expected to follow workplace safety rules.

The ministry continues to inspect private-sector companies to ensure compliance, helping create safer and healthier workplaces across the UAE.

Employees in the UAE who are diagnosed with a communicable disease, suspected of being infected, or identified as close contacts during an epidemic or pandemic could soon receive paid leave without it affecting their annual leave entitlement, under amendments approved by the Federal National Council (FNC).

The amendments form part of a draft federal law on combating communicable diseases, which was approved by the FNC during its session on Wednesday.

What the amendments mean

Under the proposed changes, employers will be required to prevent an employee from attending the workplace if they:

• Are infected with a communicable disease.
• Are suspected of having a communicable disease.
• Have been identified as a close contact during an epidemic or pandemic.

The measure applies if the employee’s presence is likely to pose a health risk to others in the workplace.

Paid leave without affecting annual leave

The amendments also protect employees’ leave entitlements.

If an employee is required to stay away from work for health reasons under the law, the period of absence:

• Will not be deducted from statutory leave entitlements.
• Will be fully paid, with the employee continuing to receive their wage or gross salary.

To qualify, the employee must provide a certificate issued by the competent health authority.

FNC approves amendments

The amendments were approved during an FNC session attended by Minister of Health and Prevention Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh.

According to the FNC, the draft law was first submitted to the Council in March following approval by the Council of Ministers.

The President of the FNC referred the proposed amendments to the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which reviewed the changes during a meeting on July 6.

After examining the proposals and their role in strengthening the implementation of the law, the committee endorsed the amendments before they were approved by the Council.

If the draft law completes the legislative process and comes into force, it will strengthen workplace health protections while ensuring employees do not lose pay or annual leave when required to isolate because of communicable diseases.

If you’re travelling from the UAE to India, there’s a new travel requirement you shouldn’t miss.

India has introduced Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory online health declaration system for all international arrivals. The form must be completed within 24 hours before your flight and is required before passengers are allowed to board.

The new system was introduced by India’s civil aviation authorities as a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

What is Air Suvidha 2.0?

Air Suvidha 2.0 is an online self-declaration portal where travellers must provide their recent travel and health information before flying to India.

Passengers will be asked to submit details including:

• Their travel history over the past 21 days
• Any possible exposure to infectious diseases
• Whether they are experiencing any related symptoms

Once the form is submitted, it is automatically shared with the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is the form mandatory?

Yes. All international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form before boarding their flight.

Airlines may ask passengers to show proof that the form has been submitted before allowing them to travel.

Do you need a printed copy?

No. After submitting the form, travellers will receive a confirmation by email, which can simply be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in India. There’s no need to carry a printed copy.

Completing the form in advance also helps speed up the arrival process by reducing paperwork at the airport.