UAE student work permits to benefit hospitality

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in the UAE has changed the law regarding training and work permits for students under the age of 18, according to a recent report by Education Journal ME.

Under the new decree by the ministry, students aged 12-18 will be entitled to apply for training programmes, while students aged 15-18 can apply to work in the private sector.

The new temporary permits will be available to both UAE-nationals and non-nationals, for a maximum period of six months for 12-18 year olds applying for training permits, and a maximum period of one year for 15-18 year olds applying for temporary work permits.

The news could be a positive for the hospitality industry in the UAE, allowing it to provide crucial training and work experience to those interested in entering employment at hotels and restaurants. Hotelier Middle East spoke to a number of UAE based hotel HR managers regarding the news from the ministry. On the whole, the HR managers welcomed the new law, regarding it as a positive for their hotel and the students.

Many of the HR professionals also saw this as answering the demand already made directly by students and schools for on the job training in hotels.

Speaking exclusively to Hotelier, Four Points by Sheraton, Bur Dubai HR director Afreen Zeba told us: “We would be encouraged to tailor make and work on new programmes which would make it easy for the Z generation to fit into the challenging job required in our industry. From past experience we have seen various schools from different countries showing interest in enrolling students in this vibrant industry and surely with this new regulation it will stimulate the interest further.”

Also positive about the news, Emaar Hospitality Group corporate director of HR Aseem Kapoor told us: “We will undertake focus groups with the appropriate stakeholders to define internship and training programmes which will help create the appropriate learning experience for this young demographic. From our perspective, it also helps us identify a talent pipeline for the future which is also an opportunity for the students and will help drive the growth of the industry. Almost all operational departments could be covered with the exception of those where specific high level skills may be required like engineering, technical services, and security, for example.”

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Taj Dubai HR Director Amber Zaki regarded the development as a positive “in terms of giving opportunities to young people to experience the industry early in life and hopefully be encouraged to build a career in it, knowing the glamorous and less glamorous aspects of it.”

Zaki added that the hotel would need to think carefully about which departments students could be placed in: “There is naturally a limit on what we can expect people in this age group to deliver as many aspects of customer service require maturity and experience. Nonetheless, there are areas where the enthusiasm and energy of young students would have a positive impact. We would suggest entry level training in the kitchen, basic service in the restaurants and at the bell desk.”

Nevertheless, the F&B perspective, which in some cases brings licensing laws into consideration as well, seems to be slightly more complex. Gates Hospitality CEO Naim Maadad told Hotelier Middle East, he also welcomes this recent change in UAE law, dubbing it a “step in the right direction.” However, mindful of the practical difficulties of bringing under 18s into an F&B environment, Maadad added: “Personally I believe the starting age of 12 is very young for the following reasons: consent from parents would be needed; transport would be an issue; hospitality hours are long and varied.

“The real issue, which needs to be ironed out is how do you get such a young age to train in, or go through an internship in, an industry where minors cannot handle, consume or serve liquor,” Maadad continued. “At this minute, what would be more beneficial for the industry is to allow part timers rather than minors entering an industry, where in principal they are prohibited from being active and involved.”

Companies looking to start internship and training programmes as a result of the new law should be aware that the ministry has set out regulations regarding work conditions for students. Under the new law, students will not be allowed to work for more than six hours a day, and for no more than four consecutive days. Students must also be given breaks to eat or pray.

Companies wishing to start work experience programmes can apply for permits via Tas'heel service centres and the ministry’s smartphone app, at a cost of US $136 (AED500) per permit.