UAE is a diverse nation that believes in promoting progress, development, and innovation. Therefore, the government keeps introducing new UAE laws and changes to the existing legal framework to achieve its objective. 2024 is the year when a lot of changes unfold in UAE laws. Many important legal and regulatory changes have been introduced. The main aim is to restructure and reshape the different facets of life in the UAE.
- A Landmark Development: Emiratization
A landmark development was regarding boosting the Emiratization in the Private Sector. The government of UAE has made it part of its agenda to promote it in the UAE. The new UAE laws are designed to support the cause. Following this plan the new Emiratization goals are set that will be implemented in 2925. The new UAE laws are applied to small-scale businesses with 20 to 49 workers.
- Reason behind it:
This initiative is introduced to promote greater inclusion of Emiratis into the workforce. Furthermore, it is made compulsory for smaller companies to hire Emirati citizens.
- So whats the Details:
Under the new UAE law, the small business must have at least 2 Emiratis within their workforce. This paves the way for increasing the number of Emirati citizens in the labor force. As a result, it will serve the process of Emiratization in the private sector.
- Penalties are established
Penalties are established for those who fail to comply. In case of non-compliance with the targets, the businesses will face substantial fines. Moreover, it will also lead to penalties in the coming years. Additionally, to battle the false practices in Emiratization, the government of UAE has introduced some developments. To combat false practices in the UAE, hefty fines are imposed on small-scale companies. Therefore, those who are engaged in faking the Emiratization in their company will face serious repercussions.
- Workforce Nationalization
The efforts to advocate for Emiratization in the UAE underscore a commitment and dedication toward workforce nationalization. Nonetheless, a lot of enhanced UAE laws have been introduced. You can learn more about the process of Emiratization from our professional lawyers and legal consultants. We have a team of UAE national attorneys and legal consultants, located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
- Traffics Laws
- Another Landmark decision
The landmark decision is to initiate more stringent traffic laws in the UAE. The main motive is to improve road safety for vehicle drivers, pedestrians, and others on the road. A new federal decree law is introduced which will be effective from March 2025. The significant changes include the inclusion of a minimum driving age. To enhance road safety, the minimum age for getting a driving license is 17 years. This has been introduced keeping in mind the needs of young drivers in the UAE. Furthermore, younger residents now have access to drive and thus, they enjoy the privilege to become responsible.
- Noise Reduction
Another change to the traffic laws is concerning noise reduction. According to it, to ensure road safety the vehicles are prohibited from exhibiting excessive noise pollution. The initiative was taken to restrict vehicles that generate excessive noise.
In addition, vehicles including cars, bikes, buses, trucks, and other vehicles in urban areas are restricted on horn usage. The limitation on the use of horns will prevent road accidents and avert the danger.
- Pedestrian Safety
Another groundbreaking change to traffic laws is announced that relates to pedestrian safety. For the improvement of road safety for pedestrians there is an introduction of crossing road limits. The speed limit that exceeds 80 km per hour is strictly banned.
- Penalties: Criminal and Civil
Anyone who breaks the traffic laws will face serious repercussions. It may include the potential for criminal and civil penalties resulting from non-compliance.
The government of UAE has elaborated the penalties for traffic violations. As a result, severe penalties and punitive measures are introduced for various traffic violations.
It includes strict penalties for driving under the influence of accidents, rash driving, over speeding, hit-and-run cases, and reckless driving in hazardous or dangerous places. All the above-mentioned changes are brought to the traffic laws considering road safety for all in the UAE.
Another aspect of changes includes the laws regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. The new development has made it a law that hazardous materials require special permits.
This initiative was taken to ensure compliance in case of usual loads. Besides, it is to ensure that safety regulations are met. This also minimizes the risk factor.
- Women Representation
Another key aspect is promoting female representation and gender equality in the company board of directors. This gender diversity and female representation will begin in January 2025. According to the changes, all private joint stock companies are required to include females in their boards of directors. This will increase female representation in the workforce. Further, there is an inclusion of reserved seats for women in the companies. The government of UAE has shown a keen interest in gender equality and liberating women of the UAE.
Therefore, the female representation concept was introduced for the first time in the country. According to the landmark decision, there must be a reserved seat of at least one seat for a female member of the board. This is applicable after the current board terms end. All this is done to improve gender equality and have female representation in every sector of the UAE.