How to Check Your Labour Contract in the UAE

Expats seeking new opportunities are drawn to the prospect of securing a job in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They are mostly interested in how to check labour contract.

A labour contract is one of the most important papers you'll get.

Clients often come to us with a simple question: “How to check my labour contract?”

If you work in the UAE, whether on the mainland or in a free zone, this complete guide will show you everything you need to know about how to how to check labour contract.

What Is a UAE Labour Contract and Why It Matters

In the UAE, a labour contract is a legally enforceable agreement between an employee and an employer that sets out the terms and circumstances of the job.

It is the most important part of your professional relationship since it spells out your rights, responsibilities, and your employer's duties.

Types of Labour Contracts in the UAE

The UAE's labour law recognizes:

• Limited (Fixed-Term) Contracts: These contracts are for a certain amount of time, usually two to three years. They automatically end when the period is up, unless both parties agree to extend it.
• Unlimited (Non-Fixed-Term) Contracts: These contracts don't have a set expiration date and stay in effect until one of the parties gives notice to the other party, as required by law.

Since February 2022, the UAE's new labour law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) requires all employees to sign limited-term contracts, which are meant to make employment relationships more flexible and clear.

Legal Importance of Your Labour Contract

The contract you signed is the main source of information for settling any disagreements that may come up between you and your boss.

Some of the most important things that a labour contract covers are:

• Contract length.
• Confidentiality and non-compete clauses.
• End-of-service gratuity.
• Job title and description.
• Notice period.
• Probation term.
• Salary and benefits.
• Working hours.

It is very important that your contract precisely represents the terms you agreed on. Any differences could cause problems or misunderstandings in the future.

How to Check Labour Contract Online in the UAE

The UAE government has made a lot of progress in making its services digital, which makes it easier for workers to get to and check their labour contracts online.

Checking Through MOHRE Portal

The official website of MOHRE is the best place to check your mainland labour contract.

• Visit the MOHRE website: visit Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation at moh.gov.ae.
• Go to the "Services" section: Look for a part that talks about "E-Services" or "Enquiries."
• Choose "My Contract" or "Labour Card Information." You might find a service on the website that only checks your contract or labour card information, depending on how the site looks right now.
• Fill out the required information: You will usually have to give some or all of the following:
  • Your Date of Birth
  • Your Nationality
  • Your Passport Number
  • Your labour Card Number (if you have one) o Your Company ID (optional)
• Send and see: The system should provide you with the information about your registered labour contract after you enter the details. This will have information like your work title, pay, type of contract, and the name of your boss.

It's very important to check the information on the MOHRE portal against the actual contract you signed. If there are any differences, you should talk to your boss right away.

Labour Contract Check via UAE Pass

UAE Pass is the UAE's national digital identity and signature solution. It lets people safely use a number of government services. You can use your registered UAE Pass account to check your work contract:

1. Download the UAE Pass App: Make sure you have the UAE Pass app on your phone.
2. Sign in to UAE Pass: Use the information you used to sign up to sign in to the app.
3. Get to MOHRE services: You might see a direct link or option to get to MOHRE services on the UAE Pass app. You can also go to the MOHRE website and choose "Login with UAE Pass" as your way to log in.
4. Go to contract specifics: After you log in with UAE Pass, you will be taken to your personal MOHRE dashboard, where you can see the specifics of your labour contract.

Using UAE Pass is a quick and safe way to get to government services, like information on your labour contract.

Labour Contract Check with Emirates ID or Passport

How to check labour contract with passport number? It's important to note that direct contract checks using only Emirates ID or passport numbers are typically built into the MOHRE portal's current search functionality. Your Emirates ID is the main form of ID you need in the UAE, and it is linked to your labour card and contract.

Ensure that the personal information on your Emirates ID, passport, and contract is always the same.

How to Check Labour Contract in Free Zones

There are many free zones in the UAE, and each one has its own set of rules and a regulating body for employment. The basic rules of labour law still apply; however, the steps for reviewing your contract may be different.

Free Zone Authority Portals and Platforms

If you work in a free zone, you will usually need to check your labour contract using the web portal or platform of the free zone authority that is in charge of it.

How to check free zone labour contract? Some of the most well-known free zones and the people in charge of them are:

• DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre): The DMCC Portal (member.dmcc.ae)
• DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre): DIFC Portal (difc.ae)
• TECOM Group (like Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City): axs.ae (their platform for shared services)
• JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority): Trakhees Portal (trakhees.ae)
• Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone): SAIF Zone Portal (saif-zone.com)
• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM): The ADGM Registration Authority Portal (adgm.com)

The process:

1. Go to the official website of your free zone authorities.
2. Getting to the employer/employee services section: find a section that is just for visa, job, or HR services.
3. Signing in: you might need to make an account or sign in with information given to you by your company or linked to your visa application.
4. Getting to the contract details: after you log in, you should be able to see your employment contract and other important information.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on how to get to your contract, it's best to ask your boss or the free zone authorities immediately.

Required Documents for Contract Verification

No matter where you are, on the mainland or in a free zone, it's always a good idea to have the following documents ready to go when you verify your labour contract:

• A tangible copy of your original labour contract: compare labour contract UAE check online with other online records.
• Your passport, which includes your visa page.
• Your Emirates ID: If you have one.
• If you have one, your Labour Card Number.
• The number on your company's trade license or company ID: This can help with some searches.

Having these papers on hand will make it easier to check things and let you quickly compare facts.

Common Issues When Checking Labour Contracts

Even while the online systems usually work well, you could run into certain frequent labour contract check online problems:

• Differences in information: The most important thing is that the online contract and the physical contract you signed don't match.
• Data not found: If you can't find your contract information online, make sure you're inputting the right information (such your passport number, date of birth, etc.).
• Problems with the website or maintenance: Like any other online platform, the MOHRE and free zone portals can have temporary technical problems or be down for maintenance.
• Insufficient information about how things work in free zones: The process for checking contracts can be different in different free zones. If you're not sure, you can get help from your employer's HR department or the free zone authority directly.

Conclusion

Checking your labour contract in the UAE is an important step toward making sure your job is safe and clear.

You may simply get to and confirm the specifics of your agreement by using the internet tools offered by MOHRE and free zone authorities.

Always check the web information against your actual contract. If you find any mistakes or problems, and ask the right people for help or clarification.

Сheck your labour contract in UAE well in advance to safeguard your rights and build a successful career.