People walking to COP28 venue in Dubai, UAE
© ©ILO/Leo Alfonso

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been an ILO member state since 1972 and has ratified nine ILO Conventions, including six core Conventions. The UAE hosts some 8.7 million migrant workers – equivalent to over 80 per cent of the country’s resident population – making it one of the largest foreign labour-receiving countries in the world. With Emirati nationals mainly employed in the public sector, migrant workers constitute the bulk of private sector employment. The ILO and UAE are collaborating across topics such as social protection, labour migration corridors, just transition, and building institutional capacities to enable it to create and maintain safe and healthy workspaces in all sectors of the economy.

Latest news and stories

The UAE introduces voluntary pensions to replace end-of-service indemnities, joining an increasing trend of reforms across the GCC countries
a group of people sitting around round tables in a workshop

The UAE introduces voluntary pensions to replace end-of-service indemnities, joining an increasing trend of reforms across the GCC countries

ILO Launches Flagship Study on Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries
A migrant worker cuts through a metal rod at a construction site.

ILO Launches Flagship Study on Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Projects and programmes

Expanding Social insurance for agricultural workers in the Arab region

Social Protection

Expanding Social insurance for agricultural workers in the Arab region

Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers: Exploratory Research and Policy Dialogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers: Exploratory Research and Policy Dialogue in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

Events

Meeting on future collaboration between the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the ILO Regional Office...

Meeting on future collaboration between the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the ILO Regional Office...

Publications

Assessment of Labour Migration Statistics in the Arab States

Regional Report

Assessment of Labour Migration Statistics in the Arab States

United Arab Emirates: Regulatory framework governing migrant workers

United Arab Emirates: Regulatory framework governing migrant workers

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Picture of a book case.
All resources

All resources

Browse our catalogue of resources from or about United Arab Emirates and filter by topic or sector.

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Contact

Mette Grangaard Lund

Just Transitions Specialist
ILO Regional Office for Arab States

ILO activities in the United Arab Emirates are coordinated by the ILO in the Arab States Office, based in Beirut.

Aresco Centre - Justinien Street - Kantari
P.O.Box 11-4088 Riad Solh 1107-2150
Beirut – Lebanon

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