UAE Labour Camp Regulations Hub
Accommodation standards, emirate-by-emirate requirements, penalty schedules and a printable inspection checklist for UAE worker accommodation.
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- Regulation areas
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- Emirates & free zones
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- Compliance checklist
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- Critical
Regulation areas
Site selection criteria, registration obligations, supervision ratios, and security requirements for labour accommodation facilities.
Bedroom space allocations, occupancy limits, bed specifications, furnishings, and prohibited activities within sleeping quarters.
Kitchen management, food safety, catering standards, dining room specifications, and drinking water requirements.
Toilet, shower, and washbasin ratios, hot and cold water requirements, cleaning schedules, and hygiene standards.
First aid room requirements, on-site medical clinics for large camps, quarantine facilities, and ambulance access.
UAE Civil Defense requirements, fire detection and suppression systems, emergency exits, muster points, and evacuation procedures.
Air conditioning requirements, ventilation rates, temperature and humidity controls, and minimum lighting levels by area.
Recreation facilities, sports areas, TV rooms, organised activities, and psychological wellbeing requirements.
Bus access, parking requirements, worker pick-up and drop-off standards, and pedestrian safety within the camp.
Multilingual information requirements, complaint mechanisms, electronic contact points, and awareness workshops.
Laundry facility requirements, waste disposal standards, pest control obligations, and environmental compliance.
Stairway width requirements, emergency exit specifications, signage, and accessibility standards.
Emirates & free zones
ADOSH-SF (Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System Framework)
Abu Dhabi applies the ADOSH-SF framework, which covers both permanent and temporary employer-supplied accommodation. All employers within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi must comply. The framework aligns with and supplements the federal MoHRE standards.
Dubai Municipality (Health and Safety Department)
Dubai Municipality enforces specific technical guidelines for labour accommodation compliance. Administrative Resolution No. (110) of 2020 regulates the provision of services at labour accommodation, including clinics, groceries, supermarkets, money exchanges, and barbershops.
Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA / OSHJ)
Sharjah operates under the OSHJ (Occupational Safety and Health in Sharjah) framework. The OSHJ-GL-05 guideline covers all forms of employer-supplied accommodation and requires compliance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code and AMAN requirements.
Ajman Municipality and Planning Department
Ajman follows the federal MoHRE standards as the primary framework. The Ajman Municipality and Planning Department oversees building permits and compliance for labour accommodation facilities within the emirate.
RAK Municipality / RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)
Ras Al Khaimah applies federal MoHRE standards. Companies operating within RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) must additionally comply with RAKEZ-specific health, safety, and accommodation requirements. RAKEZ provides managed staff and labour accommodation at its industrial zones.
Fujairah Municipality
Fujairah follows the federal MoHRE standards as the primary regulatory framework for labour accommodation. The Fujairah Municipality oversees local building and planning approvals for accommodation facilities.
Umm Al Quwain Municipality
Umm Al Quwain follows the federal MoHRE standards as the primary regulatory framework. The UAQ Municipality handles local licensing and planning approvals for labour accommodation within the emirate.
Trakhees (JAFZA/PCFC), DAFZA, RAKEZ, KIZAD, and other zone authorities
Free zones are subject to federal MoHRE standards under Cabinet Resolution No. 13 of 2009 (Article 5 explicitly applies to all UAE zones including free zones). Additionally, each free zone authority may impose supplementary requirements. JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) provides managed worker accommodation within the zone. Trakhees regulates health, safety, and environment for JAFZA and other PCFC-managed zones.
Legal instruments
| Reference | Authority | Scope | View source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Resolution No. 13 of 2009 Approves the General Standards Manual for Group Labour Accommodation and Related Services. Applies to all UAE zones including free zones. | UAE Cabinet / MoHRE | Group accommodation with 500+ workers | View source |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 212 of 2014 Approves the General Standards Manual for Group Labour Accommodation for smaller facilities (under 500 workers). | MoHRE | Group accommodation with fewer than 500 workers | View source |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022 Regarding Occupational Health and Safety and Labour Accommodations. Partially superseded by Resolution No. 122 of 2026. | MoHRE | All applicable accommodations | View source |
| Ministerial Resolution No. 122 of 2026 The latest update (February 2026) introducing free internet, 24/7 clinics, enhanced security, supervisor ratios, and People of Determination facilities. | MoHRE | All applicable accommodations | View source |
| Administrative Decision No. 19 of 2023 Relating to Occupational Safety and Health and Labour Accommodation. | MoHRE | All applicable accommodations | View source |
| UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice The national fire safety code governing fire detection, suppression, emergency exits, and evacuation. References NFPA standards. | UAE Civil Defense (Ministry of Interior) | All buildings and facilities | View source |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 18.0 — Employer Supplied Accommodation Abu Dhabi's Code of Practice for all forms of permanent and temporary employer-supplied accommodation within the emirate. | Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) | Abu Dhabi Emirate | View source |
| OSHJ-GL-05 — Employer Supplied Accommodation Sharjah's guideline for employer-supplied accommodation, requiring compliance with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code and AMAN requirements. | Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA) | Sharjah Emirate | View source |
Reference material only. Fines and inspection cycles are applied at authority discretion and change often — verify against the current circular for your jurisdiction before relying on any figure.
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Open