88.3% of the targeted workers in the “private” sector are insured “against unemployment.”

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation revealed that the percentage of workers who have an unemployment insurance policy has increased to 88.38% of the total targeted workers in the private sector, confirming that the system recorded the benefit of about 17,758 workers who received financial support during their period of unemployment, since the unemployment insurance system entered into eligibility in January 2023.

The latest statistics issued by the Ministry, and reviewed by Emirates Today, showed that more than 32,000 workers benefited from the insurance program to protect workers’ entitlements over the past five years, and this included claims related to unpaid wages, unpaid end-of-service benefits, and other legal entitlements.

The Ministry explained that the average amount paid as dues to each worker amounted to more than 9,000 dirhams, while some dues amounted to 20,000 dirhams, and the total amounts paid to workers for their dues that they claimed over the past five years amounted to more than 289 million dirhams.

In another aspect of the protection system, the Ministry revealed the registration of more than 2,500 companies within the labor housing system, which contributes to enhancing companies’ awareness of the requirements and standards for appropriate labor housing that guarantees the comfort and well-being of the workforce using these housing.

According to the data, about 1.9 million workers enjoy the highest standards of comfort, health and safety in their housing, as the workers’ housing is committed to providing healthy and cold water on a permanent basis, in addition to room and bathroom supplies and other basic needs of the workers.

The Ministry stated that the number of violations recorded in labor housing, between January and June 2025, amounted to 292 violations, stressing that labor housing is bound by the standards of “health, comfort, cleanliness, safety, and the provision of means of ventilation, air conditioning, and sanitation” to provide a healthy and safe environment for workers in their housing.

The Ministry confirmed that, as part of the UAE’s efforts to enhance the protection of the rights of the workforce, the “Workers Protection Program” is one of the most important initiatives that contribute to establishing a safe and stable work environment. The program aims to secure all financial entitlements for workers in the private sector, including unpaid wages. The program provides an effective protection network that covers about 99% of the workforce in various economic sectors.

These efforts come within the UAE’s vision to create a sustainable work environment that balances rights and duties, supports the competitiveness of the national economy, and provides a decent living and a safe work environment for millions of workers in the private sector.

Human Resources:

• The average dues paid to each worker is more than 9,000 dirhams, and some dues amounted to 20,000.