UAE Labour Law Ensures Family Rights After Worker Death

The UAE's Labour Law stipulates that families of deceased workers have the legal right to claim outstanding wages, financial entitlements, and end-of-service gratuity from their employers. According to Article 15, employers must make these payments within ten days of the worker's death or from when they become aware of it.

The required payments include the full end-of-service gratuity calculated according to the law and its executive regulations. Workers can designate a specific family member to receive these entitlements, which provides a clear legal basis for claiming the funds.

Additionally, employers are obligated to cover all costs associated with preparing and transporting the deceased worker's body to their home country or usual place of residence, provided the family requests this service. If it is not possible to transfer the entitlements to the rightful beneficiaries, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation may assist in safeguarding those funds until they can be properly transferred.