Claim UAE Work Injury Compensation: Employer Must Report in 48 Hours and Pay Within 10 Days
Hurt at work in the UAE? The employer must report to MoHRE in 48 hours and pay within 10 days of the medical report. Death pays AED 18,000 to 200,000.
Short answer: If you are hurt at work in the UAE, your employer must report the injury to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) within 48 hours. The UAE government page says the employer must treat you and pay compensation within 10 days of the medical report. A work death pays 24 months of basic wage, between AED 18,000 and AED 200,000.
A Pakistani labourer slips on a scaffold in Ras Al Khaimah and breaks his wrist. The supervisor says to rest and "we will see". Days pass. The first thing that decides the claim is a report that must be filed fast.
We read the UAE government page on health and safety at the workplace on 12 October 2026. We did not file a claim, because that needs a real employer record. The numbers below come from that page and the decree it cites.
The employer reports the injury within 48 hours
The page says all establishments are required to report work injuries and occupational diseases to MoHRE. If an injury or death occurs, the report must be filed within 48 hours from the incident. The report goes through the MoHRE website, an approved business service centre or the MoHRE app.
An occupational disease is an illness caused by the work itself, such as a lung condition from dust. The same duty applies to it. The legal base is Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, and Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 sets the compensation tables.
The duty sits with the employer. A worker should still ask, on the day, whether the report has been filed, and write down the answer.
Treatment and compensation are the employer's duty
The page says an employer is obligated to treat and compensate an injured worker for any work-related illness or injury. Compensation is paid within a maximum of 10 days after the medical report is issued. So the medical report is the document that starts the clock.
The worker should therefore get the medical report in hand, and keep a copy. If the employer does not pay, a worker can bring the unpaid amount as a dispute. The route is in our guide on filing a MOHRE labour complaint.
Compensation for death is 24 months of basic wage, within limits
For a fatal injury, the page says compensation equals the worker's basic wage for 24 months, provided it is not less than AED 18,000 and not more than AED 200,000. Basic wage is the base salary, before any extras.
| Outcome | Compensation on the page |
|---|---|
| Fatal injury | Basic wage for 24 months, minimum AED 18,000, maximum AED 200,000 |
| Permanent complete disability | Equal to the death compensation amount |
| Partial disability | Percentages in the tables annexed to Cabinet Decision No. 33 of 2022 |
For a family at home, the next steps after a death abroad are in our guide to bringing a dead body home to Pakistan, and the OPF aid for the family is covered in claiming OPF financial aid. The UAE government page on worker insurance also lists the cost of returning the body.
What the employer must provide before an injury happens
The page lists employer duties. The employer must provide a safe work environment, protective equipment and suitable clothing, and occupational health and safety training. For hazardous work, periodic medical examinations must be given at least every 6 months. Workers must use the equipment properly and follow safety instructions.
In summer there is also a midday break. Work under direct sunlight in open places is not allowed between 12.30 pm and 3 pm from 15 June to 15 September every year. Exemptions include asphalt laying or concrete pouring when postponement is not feasible, urgent work to prevent hazards, and work needing government permits because of traffic impact. It is not in force now, and it returns next June.
Steps for an injured worker
- Get medical treatment first and ask for the medical report.
- Tell your employer in writing, by message or letter, that you were hurt at work.
- Ask whether the injury was reported to MoHRE within 48 hours.
- Keep copies of the medical report, photos and any witness names.
- If compensation is not paid within 10 days of the report, raise a dispute with MoHRE.
- Tell your embassy or consulate if the employer refuses or threatens you.
Foreign Office and embassy numbers are on a single page in our note on help for a Pakistani stuck abroad.
Common questions
How soon must a work injury be reported in the UAE?
Within 48 hours from the incident, according to the UAE government page. The employer files it with MoHRE.
Who pays for my treatment after a work injury?
The employer. The page says an employer is obligated to treat and compensate an injured worker for any work-related illness or injury.
How long does the employer have to pay compensation?
A maximum of 10 days after the medical report is issued, per the page.
How much is compensation if a worker dies?
Basic wage for 24 months, but not less than AED 18,000 and not more than AED 200,000.
What if I am left partly disabled?
Compensation follows the percentages in the tables annexed to Cabinet Decision No. 33 of 2022. We did not read those tables, so check the figure with MoHRE.
Does the midday break apply now?
No. The ban on open-air work from 12.30 pm to 3 pm applies from 15 June to 15 September each year.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read the UAE government page on health and safety at the workplace on 12 October 2026. The page does not state penalties for employers who miss the 48 hour report, and we did not read the partial disability tables. Confirm both with MoHRE.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
