Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced that 88.38% of eligible private-sector employees are now enrolled in the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, with 17,758 workers having received financial compensation since the programme came into effect i
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced that 88.38% of eligible private-sector employees are now enrolled in the Unemployment Insurance Scheme, with 17,758 workers having received financial compensation since the programme came into effect in January 2023.
According to the Ministry’s latest statistics, more than 32,000 workers have benefited from the Worker Protection Insurance Programme over the past five years. These payouts covered claims linked to unpaid wages, end-of-service benefits, and other legal entitlements. MOHRE said the average settlement exceeded AED 9,000 per worker, with some cases surpassing AED 20,000. In total, more than AED 289 million has been disbursed to workers.
In an update on labour accommodation standards, the Ministry said over 2,500 companies are now registered under the Labour Accommodation System, which sets clear requirements for adequate and safe housing for workers. Around 1.9 million workers currently reside in accommodations that meet the highest standards of comfort, health, and safety. These include access to safe drinking water, essential room and bathroom supplies, and other basic needs.
Between January and June 2025, authorities recorded 292 violations in labour accommodation facilities. MOHRE stressed that full compliance with regulations on sanitation, cleanliness, ventilation, cooling systems comfort, and safety is mandatory to ensure a healthy living environment.
The Worker Protection Programme continues to serve as a cornerstone of the UAE’s efforts to safeguard labour rights and reinforce a stable, fair, and sustainable labour ecosystem. The Ministry noted that the programme now secures financial entitlements for about 99% of the private-sector workforce across all economic sectors, strengthening the UAE’s competitiveness and commitment to worker welfare.
MOHRE also reaffirmed the importance of the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) scheme, which provides temporary compensation equivalent to 60% of the basic salary for insured workers who lose their jobs for non-disciplinary reasons. Eligible workers must have at least 12 months of continuous subscription and must submit claims within 30 days of job loss.
