UAE law ensuring equal pay for men and women comes into force

The legislation is key to efforts to empower women across the country

Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah (R) celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA

Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA

Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA

Candidate Maryam Bin Thaniah (C) celebrates after winning one of the seats for the Emirate of Dubai during the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA

Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA

Candidates wait for the announcement of the fourth session of Federal National Council elections at a polling station in Dubai, UAE. EPA

'I get very upset when I go to places and see people with special needs sitting doing nothing,' she said as the cast her vote for a candidate running in Fujairah, who she hopes will fight for better job opportunities for those with disabilities. Victor Besa / The National

Jawaher Kardali, Asma Al Baloushi and Muna Kardali cast their vote at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National

Federal National Council speaker Amal Al Qubaisi votes in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National

Friends greet each other before entering the hall to cast their votes. Victor Besa / The National

A voter smiles after casting her vote at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National

Ras Al Khaimah police band performs as voting opens at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National

Voters at the polling booths at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National

Aiysha Al Shahhi holds a flower given to her by election officials at RAK Exhibition Centre. Pawan Singh / The National

Saturday is the main day of voting but many took part in early voting between Tuesday and Thursday. Pawan Singh / The National

A voter in a wheelchair is helped to the polling booths. Pawan Singh / The National

FNC volunteers at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Victor Besa / The National 

RAK Police Band Performing during the FNC Election Voting  held at RAK Exhibition Centre in RAK. Pawan Singh

Ayesha Al Shahhi, 48, was offered a free scarf and a flower upon arrival. Pawan Singh

Voting started across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre, at 8am. Victor Besa / The National

FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National

FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National

FNC organisers stand ready to assist voters at the floor. Victor Besa / The National

An Emirati woman votes by electronic voting system at a polling centre in Dubai. EPA

An Emirati man votes by electronic voting system in Dubai. EPA

A polling station during fourth session of Federal National Council elections in Dubai. EPA

An Emirati voter in front of a polling station in Dubai. EPA

A new UAE law ensuring equal pay for men and women in the private sector will come into operation on Friday.

A draft form of the landmark legislation was approved by the UAE Cabinet in April, 2018.

The decree was issued by President Sheikh Khalifa.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said at the time that it was a crucial step in safeguarding gender balance in the Emirates.

The new law will state that "women shall be granted a wage similar to that of a man if she performs the same work, or another of equal value."

The amended directive, updating a previous federal law established in 1980, aims to encourage more women to join the private sector.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation had commenced procedures to guarantee equal wages between men and women performing the same duties in a directive issued on August 25.

The key ruling has been hailed by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, president of the UAE Gender Balance Council.

"Keen on further advancing female empowerment, the UAE President has issued a law ensuring that women receive equal pay as men in the private sector. The law comes into effect from tomorrow across the UAE," she said on Twitter.

"Congratulations to all the women working in the UAE private sector. This step will undoubtedly boost the social inclusivity of women, support their role in national development, and advance the UAE’s status on the world’s Gender Equality Index."

The UAE jumped 23 ranks in the United Nations Development Programme's 2019 Gender Inequality Index, ranking first in the Arab world and 26th globally.

The goal set by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid when establishing the UAE Gender Balance Council in 2015 was to rank among the world's top 25 countries by 2021.

The UAE has made significant strides in recent years in its effort to promote gender equality.

Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, launched Emirati Women’s Day in 2015 to bring recognition to the crucial role of women in the country.

The annual celebration coincides with the founding of the General Women's Union in 1975.

In 2017 Sheikha Fatima, wife of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, was honoured by UN Women, a global champion for gender equality.

The UAE struck a blow for equality by ensuring half of its 40 Federal National Council members were women after a decree by President Sheikh Khalifa.

The membership of the council is now equally represented after the latest elections in October of last year.