14% of UAE workers yet to enrol for job loss insurance

Around 14 per cent of eligible employees in the UAE have not yet enroled in the unemployment insurance scheme.

That's according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), which reiterated that workers who fail to subscribe face a AED 400 fine, while a AED 200 fine will be collected from those who fail to pay their insurance premiums on time.

"The legal deadline for subscribing in the system ended in October 2023, 10 months after the system’s implementation on January 1. This period allowed all eligible workers to register in the scheme to avoid financial penalties and access the system’s benefits," the Ministry said in a statement.

It urged workers to settle their fines promptly in order to avoid further measures that could include the denial of new work permits.

The fine amount will then be deducted from the employee’s salary or end-of-service benefits.

Fines can be paid through the MoHRE's smart application, website or by visiting authorised business service centres.

The Ministry’s digital channels allow users to submit requests to pay their fines in instalments. Requests to be exempt from the system can also be submitted, along with supporting documents.

More than 6.7 million employees have registered in the scheme so far, including citizens and residents working in the federal government and the private sector.

Those exempt from subscribing include investors (business owners who own and manage their establishments), domestic workers, employees with temporary work permits, juveniles under the age of 18, and retirees who receive pension and have joined a new employer.