Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law on the Volunteer Work
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: (13) of 2018
- Issued Date: 18 Dec 2018
- Effective Date: 31 Mar 2019
- Official Gazette: No. 644
- Sector: Family and Community
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 43
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Federal Law regulates volunteer work in the United Arab Emirates. Its purpose is to promote and enhance the culture of volunteering, harmonize volunteer efforts with government guidelines, and adopt a unified approach to volunteering across the country. The law applies to all volunteer work, volunteers, and organizations that regulate volunteer activities in the UAE. It establishes registration requirements, obligations for volunteers and regulators, and penalties for non-compliance. The law aims to encourage more Emiratis and residents to participate in volunteer initiatives that benefit the community. (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 1-3)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The law applies to all volunteer work, volunteers, and organizations that regulate volunteer activities in the UAE. Its key purposes are to: 1) promote and enhance the culture of volunteering, 2) regulate and develop volunteer work, 3) harmonize volunteer efforts with government guidelines and the national agenda, 4) enhance diversity and innovation in volunteering programs, and 5) adopt a unified approach to volunteering across the country. (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 2-3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- State: The United Arab Emirates
- The Ministry: Ministry of Community Development
- The Minister: Minister of Community Development
- Competent Authority: Local Competent Authority
- Authorities regulating the volunteer work: Federal and local government authorities, civil societies, organizations, and the private sector
- Volunteer Work: Any individual or team activity that is non-profit or job-free charge aiming to achieve benefit for others
- Volunteer: Any registered natural or legal person practicing volunteering work free of charge or job-free charge
- Volunteering team: A group of registered natural or legal persons forming a team to conduct volunteering work free of charge or job-free charge
- Volunteering opportunities: Volunteering programs with specified objectives and results
- Charter of Volunteer Work: A document specifying the core values of volunteering and the rights and duties of volunteers and volunteering teams
(Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes the following key obligations: 1. Volunteers and volunteering teams must be registered and licensed to practice volunteer work in or outside the UAE. (Art. 5) 2. Volunteers must meet certain requirements, such as being a UAE national or resident, at least 18 years old, of good character, and medically fit. (Art. 6) 3. Authorities regulating volunteer work must provide for the health, safety, and security of volunteers, qualify them through training, specify tasks, and maintain confidentiality of volunteer information. (Art. 11) 4. Volunteers and volunteering teams must be punctual, follow instructions, adhere to the volunteer work charter, keep information confidential, and return any equipment or tools. (Art. 12) 5. The Ministry must coordinate with regulators to present volunteering opportunities, authenticate volunteer work, market events, and receive complaints. (Art. 13) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 5-13)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law requires the following: 1. A registry must be created in the Ministry of Community Development to register volunteers and volunteering teams. (Art. 5) 2. Volunteers and volunteering teams must be registered with the Competent Authority in coordination with the Ministry. (Art. 5) 3. It is prohibited to regulate any volunteer work inside or outside the UAE unless it is licensed. (Art. 5) 4. The Executive Regulation will specify the requirements, procedures, and disciplines for registration and licensing. (Art. 5) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 5)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections for volunteers. However, it does require authorities regulating volunteer work to provide for the health, safety, and security of volunteers when necessary. (Art. 11) The law also mandates that regulators keep the personal information of volunteers and volunteering teams confidential. (Art. 11) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 11)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcing and regulating volunteer work under this law are: 1. The Ministry of Community Development, which is responsible for creating the volunteer work registry, coordinating with regulators, and issuing the volunteer work charter. (Art. 5, 13, 18) 2. The Competent Authority, which registers volunteers and volunteering teams in coordination with the Ministry. (Art. 5) 3. The National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, which coordinates and supervises the roles of volunteer work regulators during emergencies, crises, and disasters. (Art. 14) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 5, 13, 14, 18)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law specifies the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. For violating Articles 4, 5, 10, 11 and clauses 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Article 12, the Ministry may issue a warning, written warning, remove the violation at the violator's expense, suspend the volunteer/team/regulator, or cancel their registration. (Art. 16) 2. Anyone practicing volunteer work inside or outside the UAE in violation of the law shall be punished with a fine of no less than AED 10,000 and no more than AED 100,000. (Art. 17) 3. Anyone who discloses confidential information obtained through volunteering shall be punished with a fine of no more than AED 30,000. (Art. 17) 4. Anyone who raises funds for volunteering without the Ministry's consent shall be punished with a fine of no less than AED 50,000. (Art. 17) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 16-17)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law does not specify any fees, charges, or other financial provisions related to volunteer work.
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not outline any explicit exemptions or exceptions to its provisions.
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms or procedures for handling disputes related to volunteer work.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law states that the Cabinet shall issue the Executive Regulation of this Law, upon a proposal from the Minister, within three months of the law's publication. (Art. 19)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The law references the following related UAE federal legislation: - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 concerning the Competences of Ministries and Powers of Ministers - Federal Law No (17) for 1972 Concerning Nationality and Passports - Federal Law No. (6) of 1973 Concerning Immigration and Residence - Federal Law No. (8) of 1980 concerning the Regulation of Labour Relationships - Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 on the Issuance of Penal Code - Federal Law No. (9) of 2002 concerning the Red Crescent Authority - Federal Law No. (9) of 2004 on Volunteering with the Civil Defence - Federal Law No. (2) of 2008 on National Societies and Associations of Public Welfare - Federal Law by Decree No. (11) of 2008 regarding the Human Resources in Federal Government - Federal Law by Decree No. (2) of 2011 Establishing the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority - Federal Law by Decree No. (5) of 2012 concerning Combating Cybercrimes - Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema's Law) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
This Federal Law on the Volunteer Work was issued on 18 December 2018 and came into effect three months after its publication in the Official Gazette on 31 December 2018, which was 31 March 2019. (Art. 21) (Federal Law on the Volunteer Work, 2018, Art. 21)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law on the Volunteer Work 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.