The UAE government has specified the cases in which the annual leave of employees in the UAE is canceled by the person in charge.
The UAE government explained earlier that canceling the annual leave of employees in the Emirates is permissible if specific conditions and controls are met, as the Ministry of Human Resources in the UAE has set the standards according to which an employer in the Emirates can terminate the annual leave of employees.
Can employees' annual leave in the UAE be cancelled?
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Human Resources answered the question of a resident of the Emirates while inquiring about the steps he must take in the event of canceling the annual leave authorized by the company he works for in the Emirates.
The Ministry explained in its response to the employee that the UAE Labor Law is in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No. (1) of 2022 regarding the executive regulations of Federal Decree Law No. (33/2021) regarding regulating labor relations and Federal Decree Law No. (33) of 2021 Law No. ( 33) of 2021 regarding regulating labor relations.
Controls for canceling annual leave for employees in the UAE?
According to the labor law in the UAE, the employer may terminate the annual leave of employees, taking into account many diverse factors, including commitment to work, in addition to the rotation of leaves between employees.
The Ministry also confirmed that the employer cannot take this decision except with the approval of the worker or employee. In addition, the employer is obligated to provide you with notification of your annual leave days at least one month before its start, once the leave dates are determined. This is consistent with what is stated in Clause (4) of Article (29) of the Labor Law.
The UAE Employment Law stipulates, according to Article 29, that “leave must be used within the year for which the employee is entitled.” The employer may determine vacation dates in consultation with the employee and in accordance with work requirements. Alternatively, vacations can be rotated among employees to ensure business continuity. The employer is obligated to provide the employee with at least one month's notice of the scheduled leave.