01What the scheme is
The Unemployment Insurance Scheme, often called ILOE, pays you a temporary income if you lose your job for certain reasons. The official UAE government portal lists it as insurance against job loss, and it applies to employees in the federal government and private sectors.
02Who must subscribe
According to the UAE government portal, all employees in the federal government and private sectors are required to take part. These groups are exempt:
- investors who own the establishment where they work,
- domestic workers,
- employees on temporary contracts,
- people under 18, and
- Emirati citizens who have met retirement conditions, or retirees receiving a pension who have taken a new job.
03What it costs
There are two categories, based on your basic salary. The government portal lists the premium per month:
- Category 1: basic salary under AED 16,000. The premium is no more than AED 5 per month.
- Category 2: basic salary over AED 16,000. The premium is no more than AED 10 per month.
Workers paid by commission with no defined basic salary can choose either category. You can subscribe and pay through the ILOE website and app, the ILOE contact centre, business service centres (Tasheel and Tawjeeh), some ATMs and kiosks, exchange companies, some bank apps, SMS through du and Etisalat, and the BOTIM app.
04Fines for not subscribing
The government portal lists a fine of AED 400 for not subscribing, and another AED 400 for not paying your premiums. If you are unsure whether you are covered, check with your employer or on the official ILOE channels before a deadline passes.
05What you get and how to claim
If you qualify, the scheme pays 60% of your subscription salary for up to 3 months, up to AED 10,000 a month in Category 1 or AED 20,000 a month in Category 2. The payment stops if you find a new job during that period.
To be eligible, the portal lists conditions such as these:
- you have been subscribed for at least 12 continuous months and paid your premiums on time,
- you lost your job for a reason other than resignation, and were not dismissed for disciplinary reasons,
- you submit your claim within 30 days of the end of your employment (or of the resolution of a labour dispute), and
- you are present in the UAE.
The insurance provider reviews the claim and, according to the portal, pays within two weeks of submission. The list above is a summary, so read the full conditions on the official page before you rely on a claim.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Is unemployment insurance mandatory in the UAE?
Yes for most employees. The UAE government portal says all employees in the federal government and private sectors are required to subscribe, with exemptions such as investors, domestic workers, temporary contract workers and people under 18.
How much does ILOE cost?
The government portal lists a premium of no more than AED 5 per month for basic salaries under AED 16,000 and no more than AED 10 per month for basic salaries over AED 16,000.
What is the fine for not subscribing to ILOE?
The government portal lists a fine of AED 400 for not subscribing and another AED 400 for not paying premiums.
How much does the scheme pay if I lose my job?
It pays 60% of your subscription salary for up to 3 months, to a maximum of AED 10,000 a month in Category 1 or AED 20,000 a month in Category 2, if you meet the conditions.
Can I claim if I resign?
No. One of the listed conditions is that you lost your job for a reason other than resignation. You must also not have been dismissed for disciplinary reasons.
How long do I have to submit a claim?
The portal says to submit the claim within 30 days of the end of your employment, or of the resolution of a labour dispute.
Looking for a trusted provider? Browse the community-recommended directory.
Browse the directory →