UAE to Introduce New Flexible Work Permits for Freelancers

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to launch a new freelance work permit that will allow people of all skill levels to work as freelancers in the country or from any part of the world.

The announcement was made by Abdulrahman Al Awar, the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, during the ‘Remote’ forum held in Dubai on Wednesday.

Flexible Work Permit

The flexible work permit, which is expected to be implemented by the third quarter of 2023, will allow both high-skilled and low-skilled individuals to work as freelancers within the framework of the law and after registering with the ministry.

This move will offer several advantages to the workforce as it will not tie them to a particular employer. They can decide the type of work they want to undertake as it will be an ad-hoc job where they work for themselves.

New Policies to Support Flexible and Remote Work

New policies are also being developed to support all types of flexible and remote work, according to the minister. In April 2022, the UAE announced a number of new visas and residency permits aimed at attracting and retaining talented and skilled workers from around the world.

Benefits of Flexible Work Permit

The new permit is expected to generate up to 24,000 new jobs by 2024, attracting a more diverse workforce with a wide range of skills.

This arrangement will benefit both employers and employees because it will free them from being tied to a single type of organisation, increasing labour market productivity and adding value to the workforce.

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is upbeat about the initiative, believing that it will boost private-sector productivity as well.

Bottomline

The introduction of a flexible work permit for all skill levels is a significant move for the UAE, attracting a diverse workforce and benefiting both employees and employers. By rolling out such a permit, the UAE is set to create a more dynamic and efficient labour market, supporting its vision of becoming a hub for innovation and technology.