Decent Work and Just Transition in the UAE

The conversation around a fair climate transition has moved centre stage. In this context, Decent Work/Just Transition UAE is more than just a slogan. It is a practical blueprint for protecting people as economies cut emissions, digitalise operations, and rewire supply chains. The aim is precise: to manage transition risks, expand opportunities, and ensure growth benefits workers, communities, and enterprises across the UAE.

Why “Decent Work/ Just Transition UAE” matters now

• Economic resilience: Heat stress, water constraints, and evolving regulation shift costs and incentives. A just transition that embeds Decent Work UAE standards helps firms steady productivity and reputation.

• Investor expectations: Capital providers want credible social safeguards alongside climate strategies. Just Transition UAE signals responsible risk management and better long-term value.

• Skills and jobs: New roles in energy, buildings, mobility, agri-tech, and data require rapid upskilling. Aligning training with decent work principles raises employability and retention.

The five pillars of Decent Work in a just transition

1. Fair recruitment and employment terms: Adopt a zero-fee recruitment policy, verify contracts pre-departure and on arrival, prohibit passport retention, and publish clear wage and overtime rules. These measures anchor Decent Work/Just Transition UAE in everyday practice.

2. Wages, social protection, and pay equity: Map total remuneration, close unexplained pay gaps, and set a pathway to living wage benchmarks where feasible. Link allowances and heat-stress breaks to seasonal conditions.

3. Safe, healthy workplaces: Strengthen heat action plans, hydration protocols, PPE access, and accommodation standards to ensure a safe and healthy environment. In climate-exposed sectors, integrate adaptation measures into site design and operations.

4. Worker voice and remedy: Provide multilingual grievance channels, protect whistleblowers, and track time-bound remediation. Where workers paid recruitment fees, design fair repayment plans.

5. Inclusion and opportunity: Ensure that women, young people, and lower-income workers have access to training for green jobs: Utilise unbiased hiring practices, accessible facilities, and mentorship to increase participation.

A practical roadmap for companies operating in the UAE

Step 1: Diagnose

• Conduct a just transition risk scan that covers your operations and tier-one suppliers in the UAE.

• Identify vulnerable job families, climate exposure hotspots, and skill gaps associated with low-carbon plans.

  
  

Step 2: Commit

• Publish a Just Transition UAE policy that references Decent Work principles, fair recruitment, and heat-health standards.

• Set board-level oversight with social and climate KPIs in executive scorecards.

Step 3: Act

• Integrate decent work clauses in procurement and facility contracts.

• Launch targeted upskilling for roles at risk of automation or decarbonisation.

• Establish a multilingual worker helpline and track the resolution of cases.

• Pilot heat resilience upgrades at the most exposed sites, then scale them up.

Step 4: Measure and disclose

• Report on job transitions, training hours, grievance outcomes, and fee repayments alongside climate metrics.

• Explain how capital allocation supports Decent Work/ Just Transition UAE objectives.

  
  

Supply chains: from policy to performance

• Onboarding: Require suppliers to disclose recruitment channels, fee policies, and accommodation audits before contract award.

• Verification: Use worker interviews and payslip reviews to validate practice.

• Improvement plans: Where gaps appear, provide timelines, training, and commercial incentives for sustained progress.

• Exit rules: Reserve termination for repeated, serious violations with no corrective action.

  
  

Finance and the just transition

Banks and issuers can connect climate finance to Decent Work UAE outcomes. Examples include:

• Sustainability-linked loans with KPIs on fee repayment completion, grievance resolution times, and certified training hours for workers in transition.

• Green bonds with use-of-proceeds that fund heat-resilient housing, cooling efficiency, and safe mobility for site staff.

Skills for green growth in the UAE

A credible Just Transition UAE plan pairs decarbonisation with training pathways:

• Fast-track modules for solar O&M, EV charging, energy auditing, smart-building controls, nature-based solutions, and circular operations.

• Recognition of prior learning allows experienced workers to transition into technical roles with shorter learning curves.

• Partnerships with training providers to deliver bilingual content and practical assessment.

Heat, health, and productivity

Climate adaptation is a core decent work issue:

• Schedule heavy tasks for cooler hours and rotate crews to ensure optimal efficiency.

• Provide shaded rest areas, hydration points, and transport to accommodation with adequate cooling.

• Track incident data to refine protocols across the summer period.

Governance that holds

• Assign clear accountabilities from the site managers to the board.

• Run quarterly reviews of just transition KPIs with operations, HR, and procurement at the table.

• Invite worker representatives to share insights and co-design improvements.

FAQs

What is Decent Work in the UAE context

Safe jobs with fair pay, clear contracts, social protection, worker voice, and real access to remedy, delivered in line with UAE law and international best practice.

How does Decent Work relate to the Just Transition in the UAE?

It ensures climate action does not disadvantage workers and communities. It manages disruption, supports reskilling, and shares opportunity.

Which teams should lead

Sustainability sets the direction, HR embeds policies, procurement enforces supplier standards, operations manage heat health and site safety, and finance links capital to outcomes.

Key takeaways

• Decent Work/Just Transition UAE is a practical framework that combines climate ambition with fair labour outcomes.

• Companies can act now by diagnosing risks, committing publicly, hard-wiring standards into contracts, investing in skills, and reporting progress.

• Financiers, developers, and operators that align with Just Transition UAE will be better placed to attract capital, retain talent, and build trust.