KATHMANDU: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has advanced labour protections and humanitarian support with two major moves this year: establishing the Abu Dhabi Labour Prosecution and granting amnesty to over 280 Nepali nationals.

The new labour office, under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, will handle disputes involving workers and domestic staff, aiming to expedite cases and strengthen trust in the system. The UAE’s reforms, including Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and Federal Law No. 10 of 2017, enforce safer workplaces, timely wages, health insurance, and protections for domestic workers.

Digital tools, grievance apps, multilingual hotlines, and heat-stress measures further safeguard employees.

As part of humanitarian initiatives, 166 Nepalis were pardoned in April and 120 in July, gestures welcomed by Nepal as signs of strong bilateral ties. Experts say the UAE’s dual approach of legal reform and humanitarian support benefits migrant workers.