Employers’ rights during the Covid-19 Crisis

Published on 31 March 2020. The law may have changed since then. Talk to us for current advice.

Resolution No. 279 of 2020 issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation on 26 March 2020 (‘the Resolution’) reacts to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on businesses, providing a fair balance between employers and employees. Employees are for many businesses the most valuable assets.

The Resolution gives employers certain liberties to keep employees during the crisis at lower costs, which gives the employers the advantage of not losing the employee and the employee will keep his employment at less favorable conditions instead of losing his job.

The instruments provided by the Resolution are – inter alia – the following:

– Implementing a remote work system;
– Granting employees paid leave;
– Granting employees unpaid leave;
– Temporarily reducing salaries;
– Permanently reducing salaries.

An employer should carefully consider these options prior terminating an employment and thereby losing employees the employer might need after the COVID-19 crisis.

If you are an employer and need further assistance, please contact us: info@azhari-law.com

This article is general information, not legal advice, and reflects the law at the date of publication.