The UAE Government has set minimum salary rules for various labour categories. The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) has released UAE visa profession list for skilled workers level 1, level 2 and level 3 with minimum salary range for each level.

UAE Labour Category List

The UAE Labour Department has divided labour workers in five levels. These levels are set based on workers’ skills and academic qualifications. The Labour Department has issued UAE Labour Law Resolutions 2016 with a list of labour categories and minimum salary for each category.

Here I provide UAE MOHRE Profession List for Skilled Labourers working in the United Arab Emirates.

Level 1 Skills – 1st Category Profession List

The workers who have a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification are included in Level 1 Skills in the UAE Labour Law. Such workers are called professionals and they are eligible to receive minimum salary as per UAE Labour Law Resolutions. Here I provide the list of first category profession list with level 1 skills as under.

Minimum Salary Range: AED 12000 to AED 15000

• Managers
• Finance Manager
• Sales Manager
• Human Resources Officer
• Engineers
• Surgeons
• Doctors
• Pharmacist
• Professors
• Quantity Surveyor
• Administration Officer
• Physicians
• Reservation Officer
• Draughtsman
• Advertising Designer
• Accountants
• Graphics Designer
• Public Relation Officer
• Clinicians
• Teachers
• Computer Operator
• Executive Secretary
• Lawyers
• Marketing Specialist
• Accounts Clerk

Level 2 Skills – 2nd Category Profession List

The mechanical and technical workers are included in level 2 skills by UAE Labour Law. Such workers hold a Diploma Certificate from a valid/recognized university or institute. The MOHRE has declared minimum salary for level 2 skills of 2nd category labour workers. Here I provide the list of level 2 skills professions in UAE as under.

Minimum Salary Range: AED 5000 to AED 8000

• Architectural Technicians
• Mechanics
• Web Developers / Designers
• Software Developers
• Telecom Technicians
• Technicians
• Auto Mechanics

Level 3 Skills – 3rd Category Profession List

The workers with a High School or Higher Secondary School Certificate are included in level 3 skills in UAE Labour Law. Such workers are employed for sales, clerical, supervision and relevant work. There is a salary range for workers with level 3 skills in UAE. Here I provide the list of level 3 skilled workers as under.

Minimum Salary Range: AED 4000 to AED 5000

• Sales Staff
• Documents Controller
• Documentation In charge
• Customs Representative
• Cash Desk Clerk
• Representative
• Customs Clearing Clerk
• Customs Clearing Agent
• Sales Supervisor
• Cashier
• Receptionist
• Switch Board Operator
• Storekeeper
• Clerk Assistant
• Archive Clerk
• Ticketing Clerk
• Tourist Guide
• Call center agents
• Sales Demonstrator
• Sales Representative
• Site Supervisor
• Customer Service
• Administration Clerk

Level 4 & Level 5 – Unskilled Workers

The unskilled workers are those who neither have a qualification nor have a technical skill. Such workers are included in level 4 and level 5 and there is no minimum salary rule for unskilled workers in the UAE. Therefore the MOHRE has not specified a salary range for level 4 & level 5 unskilled workers. Here I provide some examples of unskilled workers/labourers as under.

Minimum Salary Range: Unspecified

• Labourer
• Nanny
• Driver
• Painters
• Steel fabricators
• Office Girl
• Beauty Salon Worker
• Maid
• Cleaner
• Office Boy
• Other General Labours
• Ordinary Labourer
• Barber
• Messenger
• Blue-collar worker
• Plumber
• Hairdresser
• Construction worker
• Loading & Unloading workers

In this way, the UAE Labour Department determines minimum salary based on the skill level and educational qualification of workers. If you want to see the full list of skill-wise labour categories in UAE, you should visit MOHRE website @www.mohre.gov.ae.

UPDATE: UAE Labour Ban Rules

What is a Labour Ban in UAE?

The Expat Workers have to complete one year of service at their first employer in UAE. If an expat worker leaves the job within one year, the UAE Labour Department will put a 6-month labour ban on that worker. A worker with a labour ban cannot get a job until the ban period gets over.

Previous Labour Ban Rule: The workers (professionals) with a minimum salary of AED 12000 are exempted from the labour ban as per earlier rules. The workers with a salary below AED 12000 will get a labour ban if they leave their job within one year.

New Labour Ban Rule: The workers (professionals) of level 1, level 2 and level 3 skills are exempted from the labour ban as per new rules. Now, the UAE Labour Department does not have any minimum salary rule. If an employee leave the job within one year, s/he will not get a labour ban (employment ban) if s/he is a level 1/2/3 skilled worker.

Summary

The UAE Labour Department has different salary range and other rules for expat workers of different professions and skills. I have explained UAE profession category list with level 1 skills, level 2 skills and level 3 skills.

The unskilled professions/workers are included in level 4 & level 5 list. If you have a query or doubt, feel free to ask me in the comment section. For more info, kindly refer the FAQs and their answers mentioned below.

FAQs