The UAE National Service Law - a Time to Serve

- Written by Ivor McGettigan, Partner at Al Tamimi & Co.

The much anticipated national service law was published in mid-2014. This article looks at the fundamental provisions of UAE Federal Law No (6) of 2014 Concerning National and Reserve Service (the “Law”).

Who does the Law apply to?

National service is mandatory for all UAE male nationals that are:

• between 18 and 30 years old;
• medically fit; and
• approved by the National and Reserve Service Committee.

National service is optional for women.

The only son of a family and individuals who are deemed to be medically unfit will receive a permanent exemption from national service however in August 2015, the National and Reserve Service Committee announced that although the law does provide a permanent exemption for the only son of a family, he shall be provided with the option to register for national service if he wishes to. The National and Reserve Committee also introduced a further change in that that those men and women whose mother is Emirati and father is foreign shall now be able to sign up for national service. There are a number of temporary exemptions in respect of those who are the sole providers for their families and also those serving jail terms.

How long is service?

Recruits who have completed their General Certificate of Secondary Education will be required to serve nine months, while those who have not will serve two years. Women who volunteer will serve nine months, regardless of their education level.

Is it paid? 

During the period of national service, employees will continue to receive their salary, bonus, allowances, promotions and/or raises as if they were still performing their job duties. These payments will be shared equally between the employer and the UAE Armed Forces.

Do jobs remain open? 

A recruit’s job will have to be reserved until they complete their national service.

Continuous employment

Any period of national service whilst employed will not be treated as a break in employment and the service period will be counted towards the continuous period of employment.

What next?

The Law has set out the broad parameters of the scheme but more detail is awaited - by way of Executive Regulations and other measures - whereupon employers will have a better idea of how the scheme will work in practice.