School pupils aged 15 and above will have the opportunity to work paid part-time jobs during holidays following the issuance of a decree by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
On Saturday, Minister Nasser Al Hamli issued the decree outlining the terms under which an eligible pupil can be employed by a private sector company.
It said pupils can work for up to three months at a time, but that this period could be extended in exceptional cases. Prior to their employment with a company, a contract must be drawn up in accordance with the Ministry’s new regulations. The contract should include the pupil’s salary, number of working days and daily working hours.
Seven conditions must be met before a pupil can undergo training and / or become employed, according to the decree.
The conditions include: written approval from the employer, consent of the pupil’s guardian, a copy of the pupil’s emirates ID, proof of status as a pupil and a valid visa for non-Emiratis.
A certificate of no objection from the school is also needed, as is a certificate of good health.
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The decree forbids companies from employing pupils for any work that could pose a hazard to them. These include the control of heavy machinery or working with dangerous materials, among others.
The Ministry said the maximum number of working hours for young employees per day cannot six hours, including not less than an hour break for food, rest or prayer. The pupil cannot work longer than seven consecutive hours and all pupils must be given health and safety training prior to their employment.
At the end of training or service, the pupil must be awarded a certificate which must also include a performance evaluation, the Ministry said.
The decree follows the launch of the Ministry’s Wajhani programme, part of its Tawteen 360 initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education and local universities, that seeks to encourage young Emiratis to work in the private sector by explaining the benefits.
The decree issued on Saturday also builds on a decision announced by the Ministry in 2016 allowing young people to take on work experience in the private sector.
Two years ago, the ministry said it would allow young people between 12 and 18 to apply for temporary work permits, to give them a taste of life beyond school and help them build up work experience.
Workplace experts previously said the lack of experience among young people could lead to youths missing out on jobs.
