Gender Equality in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Dubai

How to understand your rights at work

1. 1

   Know the equal-wage law

   The UAE has enacted federal law confirming its commitment to gender equality and fairness at the workplace. The Federal Decree by Law No. 27 of 2018 Concerning Equality in Wages between Men and Women, together with the Federal Decree by Law No. 27 of 2018 Concerning Equality in Wages between Men and Women, sets the legal basis for equal pay.

   Documents:Federal Decree by Law No. 27 of 2018Federal Decree by Law No. 27 of 2018
2. 2

   Understand what equal pay means here

   The law aims to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for performing the same work or holding the same job grade at federal government entities. In practice, this ties pay to the work done and the grade held, not to gender.

3. 3

   Check the non-discrimination rule on salaries

   Government entities must not discriminate amongst employees on the basis of gender for salaries paid to them for the same job grade. If you work at a federal government entity and hold the same grade as a colleague, your salary should follow that grade, not your gender.

4. 4

   Look into maternity benefits

   Working women in the UAE have maternity benefits, and the rules differ between the private sector and the public sector. The exact entitlements are set by law and can change, so read the current terms for your sector directly on the authority's website rather than relying on secondhand summaries.

   Documents:Maternity benefits — private sectorMaternity benefits — public sector
5. 5

   Verify the current details before you act

   Because figures and entitlements are updated over time, confirm the latest wording on The Official UAE Government Portal (u.ae) before you negotiate pay, raise a concern, or plan leave. When in doubt, use the official source as your reference point.

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

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