The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP) have launched a campaign to raise awareness in the community about entry and residency laws for foreign nationals, as well as the labour law.

The campaign begins on 10 October and will run for three months, with various government entities taking part, along with free zones across the country and media outlets.

His Excellency Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary for Human Resources Affairs at MoHRE, said: “This partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security reflects our shared commitment to enhancing awareness in the UAE labour market by informing target groups about their legal rights and responsibilities.”

“Collaboration with government entities in the UAE is a cornerstone of our efforts to regulate and enhance the competitiveness, efficiency, and flexibility of the labour market, which, in turn, contributes to driving sustainable development across various sectors,” Al Khoori noted, emphasising his confidence in the positive impact that the awareness campaign will have on society in general, and the labour market, in particular.

“The campaign aims to familiarise people with the key provisions of the entry and residency laws for foreign nationals in the UAE, as well as regulations for labour relations (the labour law), and the procedures and penalties for violators,” Al Khoori explained. “This serves to encourage target groups to comply with laws in order to guarantee the rights of both parties in the employment relationship.”

For his part, His Excellency Major General Suhail Al Khaili, Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, said: “The campaign aims to promote compliance with the law, particularly the conditions and regulations for the entry and residency of foreign nationals in the UAE, as well as regulations for labour relations. The campaign also highlights the legal measures taken against violators, which serve to strengthen rule of law as a culture in society.”

“The campaign presents a model of constructive cooperation between government entities, designed to raise legal awareness, as disregarding these regulations and violating the visa and employment systems, which was set up to protect the community and maintain stability, is a serious transgression.

“The UAE implements an advanced, flexible, proactive, and pioneering residency and labour system, and this campaign aims to raise awareness among employers, workers, investors in free zones, and violators of entry and residency conditions in the UAE, along with the general public.”

On a similar note, His Excellency Major General Sultan Al Nuaimi, Director General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, said: “The campaign focuses on raising awareness among target groups and the larger community about violations related to tourist visas, work visas, employment seekers’ visas, termination of employment, illegal residencies after the expiry of the legal residency period, and violations related to entry visa expiration and illegal entry into the country.”

“It also includes a diverse range of media activities presented to target groups in four languages: Arabic, English, Urdu, and Swahili, via social media platforms, radio and television interviews, news articles, advertisements, and more,” he added.

Meanwhile, His Excellency Mohsen Al Nassi, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection Affairs at MoHRE, said: “We view this collaboration as a significant step towards achieving our shared goals to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE labour market and ensure compliance with laws and regulations in the country.”

“The campaign’s objectives include raising awareness among target groups about new forms of employment under the Federal Decree Law Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship, as well as the rights and obligations of both parties, types of leave, the prohibition of forced labour, and other topics stipulated in the law, its executive regulations, and related ministerial resolutions,” he added.