United Arab Emirates Foregoes Job Quota for People with Disabilities

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The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has withdrawn an earlier proposal to impose a two per cent job quota on employment of people with special needs in private companies which have more than 50 employees and three per cent in the government and public sector, a senior official confirmed yesterday.

Dr Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, said that the government will not impose any quota on employment of the disabled either in the private or the public sector.

“The ministry has drafted a new law on the rights of the disabled people and has not included any provision compelling private establishment to fulfil a quota on recruiting individuals with disabilities,” he said.

This proposal, however, was included in the initial draft law, the first in the UAE that secures the rights of the people with special needs in equal treatment, health services, education, employment, public and cultural and sports life, suitable and disabled friendly environment, transport, driving and parkings, housing as well as rehabilitation and training.

“The law will outline the rights of the disabled and stipulate the regulations that need to be observed by establishments,” the minister said, noting that one of his priorities is the welfare of the disabled.