The United Arab Emirates has made it clear that one group of persons would not be granted work permits under any circumstances, citing a definite legal requirement to justify the decision.
According to the UAE government, children under the age of 15 are barred from working in the country. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will not handle work permit applications for anyone of this age, regardless of nationality or residency status.
UAE Labour Law on juvenile employment
The restriction is based on Article 5 of the UAE Labor Law, as stated on the official UAE government website:
“According to Article 5 of the UAE Labor Law, it is prohibited to employ juveniles under the age of 15. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation does not issue work permits to juveniles below this age, whether Emiratis or expatriate residents.”
The 1 category affected by the UAE rule
The prohibition applies to all minors under the age of 15, making it a blanket policy rather than one that targets a certain nationality or job.
Anyone looking to employ a young person under the age of 18, or any young person looking for official employment in the UAE, will find no legal means to secure the necessary permissions through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The UAE’s stance is consistent with international regulations on child labor, which generally attempt to prevent minors from entering the workforce before they reach a minimum working age.