The UAE Cabinet announced last Monday that unemployment insurance will be implemented in the latest reform as the UAE seeks to attract talent and investment in light of the increasing regional economic competition.

After their protest, Deliveroo cancelled its decision to cut profits for the delivery workers. The company stated in an email to restaurants that it was suspending what it described as a proposed change to the delivery fee structure, and that it would be communicating with drivers over the coming weeks and months.

Thousands of food delivery workers in Dubai protested against their working conditions. Held last Sunday, the protest comes in response to Deliveroo’s decision to reduce the commission it pays for each delivery from $2.79 to $2.38 and to add three working hours per day.

The British newspaper The Guardian published a report by the human rights NGO Equidem showing that several migrant workers at Expo 2020 in Dubai were victims of abuse that amounts to forced labour.

On November 15, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a new Decree Law No. 33/20212 that includes several amendments and texts to regulate labour relations. It will enter into force starting from February 2, 2022 in both the public and private sectors.