Are trade unions expressly prohibited in the UAE?
Trade unions, while not expressly prohibited, do not exist in the UAE. Strikes and lock outs are, as a form of industrial protest or economic pressure, strictly forbidden. Strikes, lockouts or any act of aggression towards employers and non-striking employees are banned in the UAE. In the case of a collective dispute between the employer and all or a group of the employees, an complaint in writing must be submitted to the Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs (“Ministry”) by the employees. In an effort to resolve the matter, the Ministry adjudicates the matter through a duly appointed “Conciliation Board”. The Conciliation Board will take a decision within two weeks of the submission of the dispute by majority vote. If the parties have agreed not to be bound by the decision of the Conciliation Board then, they may appeal the decision to the “Supreme Arbitration Board”. The Supreme Arbitration Board has the same powers as that of the courts and one of the members of the Supreme Arbitratio
