The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced remarkable achievements and outstanding results from the social protection system for workers in the labor market, aimed at safeguarding their financial entitlements and raising awareness throughout the year 2025.
Ms. Dalaal Al Shuhhi, the acting Undersecretary for Labor Protection, affirmed that the positive outcomes recorded in 2025 reflect the ministry’s commitment to fostering a secure, stable, and sustainable work environment that enhances the quality of life and well-being of workers while balancing their rights with those of employers, thereby supporting national directives and the UAE Vision 2031.
She noted that the successes achieved in 2025 validate the effectiveness of the comprehensive strategy employed by the ministry in the labor market, which is based on a sustainable partnership approach with federal and local government entities and the private sector. This supports the implementation of regulations, promotes compliance, and ensures the optimal execution of initiatives and programs aimed at establishing the UAE as a leading model in worker rights protection.
In this regard, the ministry reported that nearly one million workers participated in 100 celebratory events organized last year in collaboration with partners from the federal and local government and the private sector across 30 locations nationwide. These events aimed to foster community integration and well-being among the workforce during national holidays, with a reported satisfaction rate of 95%. Participants were awarded gifts and valuable prizes totaling approximately 10 million dirhams.
Additionally, the percentage of workers enrolled in the Wage Protection System reached 99% of the total workforce in the private sector. This rate was similarly seen for workers covered by the work entitlement insurance program, with over 38,000 workers benefitting from the program, yielding an average payout of around 9,000 dirhams per worker and exceeding a total of 300 million dirhams by the end of 2025.
The percentage of workers registered in the Employment Insurance System also reached 90% by the end of last year, covering the targeted workforce. Compensation payments to workers who lost their jobs exceeded 350 million dirhams since the system became effective in early 2024 until the end of 2025.
Regarding awareness programs offered in 17 languages, 100% of targeted workers completed mandatory orientation programs by the end of last year. Additionally, over 3 million workers benefited from specialized awareness programs throughout the year.
The results from last year demonstrated the success of the ministry’s partnership approach with the private sector in enhancing corporate social responsibility and the commitment level of establishments to protection standards and initiatives. The digital and field inspection system proved effective, revealing that 99% of private companies complied with the annual “Protection of Workers from Heat Stress” policy, in addition to exceeding 10,000 designated rest stations for delivery workers.
Recognizing the importance of providing labor accommodations that comply with safety and health standards, the number of companies registered in the labor housing system surpassed 2,700 by the end of last year, benefiting approximately 1.9 million workers who enjoy optimal comfort and health and safety standards.