UAE Law Spells Out When Workers Can Claim Pay and Medical Cover for Job-Related Injuries

Every day, thousands of men and women across the UAE step into construction sites, offices, factories, and warehouses to earn their living. For many, their jobs are the only means of supporting families back home or securing a stable future here. But when an accident strikes, life can change in an instant. A construction worker who falls from scaffolding, an office employee hurt by faulty equipment, or a warehouse staff member injured while handling heavy loads -- all suddenly find themselves facing the same questions: Who pays for the hospital bills? What happens to their salary while they recover?

 

To protect workers in such situations, the UAE has laid down clear rules in Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relationships, reinforced by Cabinet Resolution No.1 of 2022, which define an employer’s responsibilities towards staff injured on duty or diagnosed with occupational diseases.

 

Full Coverage of Treatment Costs

Employers are legally obliged to bear the entire cost of treatment until the worker recovers or their disability is confirmed by medical authorities. Treatment may be provided in government or private healthcare facilities and includes:

 

• Hospitalisation and surgeries

• Diagnostic tests, X-rays, and medical analyses

• Medication and rehabilitation services

• Artificial limbs, prosthetics, or assistive devices where necessary

• Transportation expenses related to medical care

 

Wage Entitlement During Recovery

The law also ensures that workers continue to receive income during recovery:

 

• For up to six months, the employee is entitled to their full wage.

• If treatment extends beyond that period, the worker receives half wages for an additional six months, or until recovery, permanent disability, or death -- whichever occurs first.

 

These provisions are set out in Article 37(2) of the Employment Law and Article 23(1) of the Cabinet Resolution.

 

Exceptions to Compensation

Not every workplace injury qualifies for compensation. Under Article 38 of the Employment Law, workers may lose their entitlement if:

 

• They deliberately cause injury to themselves

• They are under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or psychotropic substances

• They deliberately violate workplace safety instructions displayed at the site

• The injury results from wilful misconduct

• They refuse medical examination or treatment without valid reason

 

The Cabinet Resolution further requires employers to demonstrate that they had provided proper training, safety equipment, and clear instructions -- in Arabic and another language the worker understands -- before denying compensation on the grounds of negligence.

 

Legal Recourse for Workers

If an employer fails to meet these obligations, employees have the right to file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). Legal experts advise workers to keep medical reports, bills, and all related documentation to support their case.

 

Through these provisions, the UAE ensures that while accidents may be unavoidable in the world of work, the financial and medical burden does not fall solely on employees who are already struggling with the impact of injury or illness.

 

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