Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: 6 of 2014
- Issued Date: 28 May 2014
- Effective Date: 30 May 2014
- Official Gazette: No. 565
- Sector: Security and Safety
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 120
- Chapters/Parts: 5
- Amendments: 8
Summary
The Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service regulates the mandatory national service program in the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the requirements, terms, and procedures for Emirati citizens to perform national service, as well as the reserve service obligations. The law aims to strengthen the national defense capabilities and promote a culture of patriotism and civic duty among Emirati youth. It is a significant piece of legislation that impacts Emirati citizens of eligible age, as well as government and private sector employers in the UAE. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014)
The law's practical impact is that it requires all male Emirati citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 to perform national service, with the option for female citizens to volunteer. It specifies the duration of service, the entities where it can be performed, and the training and military/security drills involved. The law also establishes exemptions, postponement provisions, and penalties for non-compliance. Employers in both the public and private sectors are obligated to facilitate the national service obligations of their Emirati employees. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The scope of the Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service is to regulate the mandatory national service program for Emirati citizens. It applies to all male Emirati citizens between the ages of 18 and 30, with the option for female citizens to volunteer. The law's purpose is to strengthen the national defense capabilities of the UAE and promote a culture of patriotism and civic duty among Emirati youth. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
- State: United Arab Emirates
- Armed Forces: State's armed forces
- Ministry: Ministry of Defense
- Supreme Commander: Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
- Minister: Minister of Defense
- Chief of Staff: Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
- General Mobilization: The number of procedures by which Armed Forces and all the forces and resources of the State are prepared to transform it from the state of peace to the state of war for the confrontation of any existing or potential danger threatening the State whether it is internal or foreign
- Partial Mobilization: A number of procedures by which certain forces and resources of the State are prepared for the confrontation of any existing or potential danger threatening the State whether it is internal or foreign which is less severe than such danger referred to concerning general mobilization
- Educational Institutions: Government and private bodies and institutions concerned with education and training of all types, forms and stages
- National Service: Such service which must be performed for the sake of the country by such person resolved to be recruited for a period of time specified in accordance with the provisions of this Law
- National Service Card: A document which indicates the condition of National Service
- Alternative Service: The alternative service of the National Service and it shall be performed within a specified period by such person to whom the conditions of joining national service are not applied
- Soldier: A person possessing a military rank in accordance with the laws and decrees applicable in the entities referred to in Article 6 of this Law and the like
- Recruit: Whoever is recruited for performing the National Service
- Employee: Any person who occupies any of the positions which appear in the federal or local budget
- Worker: Whoever works in the private sector for a wage of whatsoever type
- Student: Whoever studies or is trained at any educational institution
- Reserve Service: Such service performed by reservists for the sake of the country for a period of time specified by the provisions of this Law
- Reservist: Any person who is subject to reserve service
- Summoning: The call for reserve in certain cases in accordance with the provisions of this Law
- Reserve Service Card: A document indicating the registration of the summoned person in reserve service
- Medical Committee: Military Medical Committee
(Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The main obligations and requirements under this law include:
- All male Emirati citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 are required to perform national service, with the option for female citizens to volunteer. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 2)
- Recruits must meet certain conditions to join the national service, including being a UAE citizen, being medically fit, and obtaining approval from the National and Reserve Service Committee. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 3)
- The national service term is two years for those with less than a secondary education certificate, and one year for those with a secondary education certificate or higher. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 5)
- National service must be performed at the Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, State Security Agency, or other entities specified by the Supreme Commander. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 6)
- The national service includes training periods and military/security drills as specified by the law's executive regulations. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 7)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements beyond the initial approval from the National and Reserve Service Committee for joining the national service program. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law provides the following rights and protections:
- Certain categories of Emirati citizens are permanently or temporarily exempted from national service, such as those who are medically unfit or the sole providers for their family. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 13)
- Recruits have the right to postpone their national service in certain circumstances, such as for educational or family reasons. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 14-16)
- Reservists have the right to be summoned for reserve service only in accordance with the provisions of the law. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 22-25)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcing this law include:
- The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, who has the power to amend certain provisions of the law. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 3, 5)
- The National and Reserve Service Committee, which is responsible for approving recruits and overseeing the national service program. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 3, 8)
- The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, which oversees and coordinates the alternative service program. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 8)
- The recruitment competent authorities, which are responsible for processing national service applications and issuing relevant documents. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 9-10)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance:
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding AED 100,000 for any person who fails to apply to the authorities concerned with the national service within the specified time frame. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 36)
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding AED 100,000 for any person who leaves the UAE without obtaining permission from the recruitment competent authorities. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 37)
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding AED 100,000 for any person who enrolls a student in higher education institutions without the national service card or relevant certificates. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 38)
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding AED 100,000 for any employer who appoints a male citizen without the national service card or relevant certificates. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 38 BIS)
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding AED 100,000 for any person who fails to comply with a summons to reserve service. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 38 BIS 1)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions related to the national or reserve service programs. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law provides the following exemptions from national service:
- Permanent exemptions for those who are medically unfit or are the only son of their father or mother. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 13(1))
- Temporary exemptions for those who are the sole provider for their family, such as supporting their father, mother, or siblings. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 13(2))
- Exemptions for certain categories of military personnel, graduates of military colleges/institutes, and other citizens exempted for public interest reasons. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 4)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures for resolving disputes related to the national or reserve service programs. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies the following key deadlines and time limits:
- Emirati citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 must apply to the authorities concerned with the national service within 30 days of being notified. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 9)
- The national service term is two years for those with less than a secondary education certificate, and one year for those with a secondary education certificate or higher. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 5)
- The law allows for the extension of the national service term in accordance with the executive regulations. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014, Art. 5(4))
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service references and interacts with several other UAE federal laws and decrees, including:
- Federal Law No. (1) of 1972, On the responsibilities of ministries and the powers of ministers
- Federal Law No. (12) of 1976, On the Police and Security Forces
- Federal Law No. (8) of 1980, Regulating Labour Relations
- Federal Law No. (3) of 1987, Penal Code
- Federal Law No. (7) of 1999, Law of Pensions and Social Security
- Federal Law No. (2) of 2003, On State Security Agency
- Federal Decree-Law No. (2) of 2004, On the Establishment of the Emirates Identity Authority
- Federal Law No. (6) of 2004, On the Service of Officers in the Armed Forces
- Federal Law No. (7) of 2004, On the Service of Personnel in the Armed Forces
- Federal Law No. (8) of 2006, On Armed Forces
- Federal Law No. (17) of 2006, Establishing the Supreme Council for National Security
- Federal Law No. (28) of 2006, On Reserve Service in the Armed Forces
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- Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014
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- The Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service came into effect on 30 May 2014, the day after its publication in the Official Gazette No. 565. (Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service, 2014)
- This article analyses Federal Law Concerning the National and Reserve Service for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.