UAE Strengthens Employee Protections During Epidemics with Full Pay and Protected Leave for Workplace Absences

Employees in the UAE who are required to stay away from work during an epidemic or pandemic will continue to receive their full salary without losing any of their statutory leave entitlements, following amendments to the federal draft law on combating communicable diseases approved by the Federal National Council (FNC).

The amendments require employers to prevent any employee or worker who is infected with a communicable disease, suspected of being infected, or identified as a close contact during an epidemic or pandemic from attending the workplace if their presence could pose a risk to the health and safety of others.

The period of absence will not be deducted from the employee's legally prescribed leave, and the worker will continue to receive their full wage or gross salary throughout the absence, provided it is supported by a certificate issued by the competent health authority.

The amendments were approved during the FNC's 13th session of its third ordinary term of the 18th legislative chapter, chaired by Speaker Saqr Ghobash at Zayed Hall in Abu Dhabi recently, in the presence of Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention.

The FNC had initially approved the draft law in March. It was subsequently returned to the council with additional provisions and amendments proposed by the Presidential Court in coordination with the Cabinet to broaden the scope of the legislation and address a wider range of public health scenarios.

The new provisions were referred to the FNC's Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, which reviewed the amendments on July 6. After examining their legal and practical implications, particularly in light of situations that could arise during implementation, the committee endorsed the amendments as submitted.

What it Means for Employers and Employees

The amendments place a clear legal responsibility on employers to prevent affected workers from attending the workplace once a certificate is issued by the competent health authority, removing any ambiguity over whether the decision rests with the employee.

The changes also reflect lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, when uncertainty arose over whether quarantine and isolation periods should be treated as paid sick leave, unpaid leave or another category of absence.

The revised draft law modernises the UAE's legislative framework for combating communicable diseases and strengthens the country's legal preparedness to prevent, detect and respond effectively to future public health emergencies while safeguarding both workplace safety and employees' rights.

 
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