UAE: Is it illegal for employees to accept gifts from suppliers? – information

It is a common practice for organizations to give away stationery to customers

Q: I work for a company based in Abu Dhabi. My job involves visiting multiple companies and interacting with suppliers. In some cases, I will receive gifts. When I don’t accept certain executives, they get angry. Is it legally wrong to take these items? Please note that the gift has nothing to do with my decision, in most cases it is a small item like a pen or journal.

Reply: Based on your query, it is assumed that you are employed by a mainland private company based in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, the provisions of Federal Decree No. 33 of 2021 on the regulation of employment relations (“Employment Law”) apply.

In the UAE, employees are not allowed to obtain any personal benefit from any person or organization while employed. If an employee seeks or accepts a personal benefit from another person or organization, the employer may conduct a written investigation and dismiss the employee without notice. This is consistent with the provisions of Article 44, paragraph 9 of the Labor Law: “The employer may dismiss the employee without notice after a written investigation. The dismissal decision shall state the reasons in writing and be made by the employer. If the employee abuses Authority for personal gain and profit, or on behalf of employees.”

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Generally speaking, in UAE, organizations usually give away pens, calendars, diaries and other free daily stationery to their clients, clients, employees, suppliers, well-wishers, etc. as seasonal greetings (New Year) or Eid al-Fitr or other festival. If the gift is limited to this type of stationery, you shouldn’t have a problem getting it from the supplier. However, it is prudent to obtain written permission from your employer that they have no objection to you accepting gifts (stationery items only) from a company supplier.

Ashish Mehta is the founder and managing partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise in Dubai, the UK and India. For full details of his company, please visit: www.amalawyers.com. Readers can email their questions to: news@khaleejtimes.com or to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai.