The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reinforced its global standing in labour rights and humanitarian support with two major initiatives this year: the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Labour Prosecution and the granting of amnesty to over 280 Nepali nationals.
The Abu Dhabi Labour Prosecution, announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, will operate under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The new office is tasked with addressing disputes and claims involving labourers and domestic workers, aiming to streamline legal processes and strengthen trust in the justice system.
This move builds on the UAE’s decade-long reforms, including Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, which enforces stricter standards against forced labour, harassment, and unsafe working conditions. Employers are now obligated to provide health insurance, safe housing, and multilingual contracts to safeguard expatriate workers from exploitation.
The UAE Embassy in Kathmandu highlighted additional measures such as the Wage Protection System for timely salary payments, the unemployment insurance scheme launched in 2023, and new end-of-service savings plans. Domestic workers also benefit from Federal Law No. 10 of 2017, which guarantees written contracts, timely wages, rest periods, annual leave, and protection from exploitative practices.
Authorities have coupled these laws with awareness campaigns and digital innovations, including AI-based permits, grievance apps, and multilingual hotlines. Summer-specific protections such as heat-stress bans, shaded rest stations, and health awareness drives have further bolstered worker safety. The UAE also continues global cooperation through platforms like the Abu Dhabi Dialogue in partnership with the ILO, IOM, and labour-sending nations.
Alongside these structural reforms, the UAE granted amnesty to more than 280 Nepali nationals this year. In April, during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, 166 Nepalis were pardoned following requests from the Nepali Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Another 120 detainees were released during Eid al-Adha in July. Nepal welcomed the decision, calling it a testament to strong bilateral ties and humanitarian goodwill.
Labour experts note that these dual initiatives—strengthening legal protections while extending humanitarian gestures—demonstrate the UAE’s balanced approach to labour governance, offering significant benefits to millions of migrant workers, including those from Nepal.
