Country profile ARE
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:2317324"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | In a Direct Request published in 2010, the CEACR noted that primary education, which lasts until the age of 13, is compulsory for all citizens of the United Arab Emirates. This sets the age of completion of compulsory schooling to 13, which is below the minimum age for admission to work, set to 15. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2021-01-02 | C182 | Federal Law by Decree No. (30) of 2021 On Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances - Article 41 ; 42 ; 43 ; 44 and 48. | [{"link_name":"Federal Law by Decree No. (30) of 2021 On Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1540"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 48 punishes anyone who commits any of the offences outlined in Articles 41, 42, 43, and 44, which include drug addiction, personal use, or possession. It also considers the commission of these offences against a child as an aggravating factor. However, this prohibition does not extend to drug trafficking. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2016-03-15 | C182 | Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 on Child Rights Law (Wadeema) - Article (37) | [{"link_name":"Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 on Child Rights Law (Wadeema)","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1176"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article (37) of the Federal Law prohibits all the following : "1. Using or exploiting the child in filming, recording or producing any pornography; 2. Producing, publishing, distributing or facilitating children's access to pornography by any means; 3. Possessing child pornography regardless of the intent to distribute; 4. Downloading, uploading or sending any child pornography via the internet or any other communications or information technology means; 5. Custodian's contribution to child's participation in production or filming child pornography or any other sexual acts or allowing the child to do so or help him in any of such acts; 6. Direct or indirect sexual exploitation of the child by exposing or preparing him for acts of prostitution and debauchery whether or not against a consideration." |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2014-05-28 | C182 | Federal Law No. (6) of 2014 Concerning the National and Reserve Service - Article (3) b. | [{"link_name":"Federal Law No. (6) of 2014 Concerning the National and Reserve Service","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1213"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Article (3) b. of the Federal Law states that one of the conditions for recruitment into National Service is a minimum age of eighteen years. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2023-08-16 | C182 | Federal Decree by Law No. (24) of 2023, On Combating Human Trafficking - Article (6) and Article (7)(1) | [{"link_name":"Federal Decree by Law No. (24) of 2023, On Combating Human Trafficking","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2127"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article (6) of the Federal Decree criminalizes human trafficking, while Article (7)(1) considers it an aggravating circumstance if the victim is a child. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1541/download"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Although it develops on the terms and conditions of employment of Juveniles, the Federal Decree-Law Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship makes no mention of a minimum age for light work, or of the circumstances under which light work may be carried out, thus implying no such law has been implemented. |
| Minimum age for light work | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1541/download"}] | N/A | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Although it develops on the terms and conditions of employment of Juveniles, the Federal Decree-Law Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship makes no mention of a minimum age for light work, thus implying no such law has been implemented. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2022-02-02 | C138 | Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship - Article (5) 1. | [{"link_name":"Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship","source_link":"https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1541/download"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article (5) 1. of the Federal Decree-Law sets the minimum age for admission to work to 15 years. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1981-01-06 | C138 & C182 | Ministerial Resolution No. (5/1) on defining works that are hazardous, arduous or harmful to the health and where minors are prohibited to work | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Resolution No. (5/1)","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/68087/ARE68087%20Eng.pdf"}] | 17 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | The Ministerial Resolution prohibits to minors under the age of seventeen a list of works that are hazardous, arduous or that may be harmful to their health. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1981-01-06 | C138 & C182 | Ministerial Resolution No. (5/1) on defining works that are hazardous, arduous or harmful to the health and where minors are prohibited to work | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Resolution No. (5/1) on defining works that are hazardous, arduous or harmful to the health and where minors are prohibited to work","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/68087/ARE68087%20Eng.pdf"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | The Ministerial Resolution provides with a list of 31 jobs forbidden to children aged below 17 years. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2018-07-23 | C138 | Ministerial Decree No. 519 of 2018 on Regulations and Conditions of Training and Employment of Students - Article (1) | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Decree No. 519 of 2018 on Regulations and Conditions of Training and Employment of Students","source_link":"https://www.mohre.gov.ae/handlers/download.ashx?YXNzZXQ9NjU0NQ%3D%3D"}] | 15 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Article (1) of the Decree establishes the minimum age for apprenticeship to 15 years. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 02-OCT-1998 | Source |
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 28-JUN-2001 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Policy was issued in 2022 to protect children, enhance their well-being, provide social and psychological support, and offer post-care for cases of child abuse. It follows some main objectives including : 1. Ensure implementation of mechanisms and measures of child protection in educational institutions pursuant to the applicable legislations in the State and the international conventions in place; 2. Determine the roles and responsibilities of all personnel working for the educational institutions, and all stakeholders including parents, individuals, agencies, partners, and the relevant service providers; 3. Create a safe and supportive school environment to protect the child against occurrences that can threaten the child’s survival and wellbeing in terms of physical, mental, intellectual, educational or moral health; 4. Enable the child to exercise his/her rights, particularly educational rights and the right for protection pursuant to the provisions set out in the applicable legislations and the provisions of Federal Law No. (3) of 2016, its implementing regulation and the international conventions ratified by the country; 5. Create a safe and confidential information reporting and complaints system for cases of potential or suspected child abuse or compromising of the child’s rights within an educational institution, the services and utilities provided by the educational institution, the transportation of children to and from the educational institutions, and any extracurricular activities organized by the educational institution or Ministry; 6. Provide the child social and psychological protection, and support and care after cases of child abuse; 7. Enhance child welfare in all aspects; 8. Foster and model positive behavior and the building of positive social school relationships. 9. Promote the principle of tolerance among all members of the school community; 10. Improve the competency of education professionals working in the field of child protection and bullying prevention; 11. Foster child protection partnerships; 12. Coordinate with the relevant bodies to safeguard the rights of all children in educational institutions. | [{"link_name":"The National Child Protection Policy in Educational Institutions","source_link":"https://www.moe.gov.ae/En/Legislations/Documents/National%20Child%20Protection%20Policy-EN.pdf"}] | 2022 | The National Child Protection Policy in Educational Institutions | Ministry of Education |