• While the UAE offers opportunities to foreign workers, but you will want to make sure you understand local labor laws.heritage village in hatta (uae) image by CPO from Fotolia.com
  
  The United Arab Emirates, most commonly referred to as the UAE, is a prosperous Middle Eastern nation that is actually more of a confederation of states ("Emirates") than one single nation. Dubai is the most famous of the individual UAE states, and this nation has detailed labor laws for both citizens and for immigrants or visitors outlining the rights, protections and responsibilities of each group.
  
  

Federal Law Number 8

• Federal Law Number 8 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the law that specifically deals with the majority of labor issues, including required wages, specific exemptions to Federal Law Number 8, hours, safety issues and employment contracts. This law was passed in 1980 and amended slightly by Law 12 in 1986. Trade unions are not allowed in the UAE, and there is no minimum wage, although there are rules that ensure at least a base minimum of needs is met by employers.
  
  

Expatriate Requirements

• There are several requirements for expatriates who want to work in the UAE, including college students or graduates who want to teach English in the UAE. An employer must apply to sponsor the expatriate for an employment visa. The potential employee then must pass a medical test screening for contagious diseases. If he passes the tests and can provide required documents--such as a birth certificate, passport and other identification--then the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will issue him a labor card. The potential employee also needs a resident permit allowing him to stay and work for up to three years.
  
  

Employment Contracts

• There are two types of employment contracts in the UAE: unlimited employment contracts and fixed-term contracts. Unlimited employment contracts have a commencement date but no set completion date, can be oral instead of written, and can be canceled by either party with a 30-day notice. A fixed-term contract is a written contract that specifically outlines the time period of work, which must be less than four years; if the employer breaks the contract without cause, the employer is liable for the rest of the money owed under the contract. Both types of employment contracts in the UAE should include information on wages, nature of work, location of employment, duration of employment and the contract dates.