Are you working for a company that has you driving around all week? Of course, you must be thinking if the employer should be paying for the fuel and Salik charges. Since you are using your own car, these costs are associated with using the vehicle for business purposes. So, what does the legislation say, especially concerning your prerogatives in the UAE?
Understanding Your Rights: Are Employers Obligate to Provide Compensation for Fuel and Salik Charges?
If you are employed in a mainland company in Dubai, the UAE Employment Law along with applicable cabinet resolutions should cover the particularities regarding the employer’s obligations concerning traveling costs in Dubai.
According to the law, there is no specific clause that states companies are required to reimburse fuel and Salik tolls. However, the clauses on business expenses suggest that employees who incur business-related expenses and use their private cars can expect to receive compensation for the costs that they have incurred.
What Does UAE Law Say?
To summarize, it is commonplace in the UAE that employers reimburse employees for significant business expenditures that arise from the performance of their work, such as the fuel and toll expenses, if any, incurred while carrying out work for the company. This can be broken down into smaller details as follows:
Travel Expenses: The employment contract and company policy handbook should specify whether you as an employee will have your travel expenses, for instance, fuel and tolls, reimbursed. Many companies already have policies that are aimed at reimbursing clients and customers who are frequently traveling for work.
Reimbursements of Business Expenses: The main takeaway here is that if your job includes a certain amount of travel either attending meetings, site visits, errands, etc., you will most likely qualify for reimbursement of the expenses incurred. This is often inclusive of fuel and Salik tolls.
Cabinet Resolution and Business Costs: Also consider the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2016 where it alludes that perhaps the employer may at times find it necessary to reimburse the employee some essential expenses incurred in the course of duty of employment. These expenses may include moving from one location to another undertaken in the course of duty and the nature of one’s work and the travel will almost certainly determine this.
What About Expecting Reimbursements For Bills?
For reimbursement through the employer, these options need to be checked first:
Recheck Your Employment Contract or Check Company Policies: Revisit your fuel and public transportation policies. Some companies have a cap on the amount they reimburse or ask for an allowance.
Contact Human Resources or Your Supervisor: If travel is part of your role and you’re already spending money on these trips, get in touch with HR or your supervisor. A lot of the time, they have already created a system to reimburse these costs.
Document All Expenses: This helps with computations. Recuepts for fuel, salik, or any traveling related items need to be kept. This helps to ensure being repayed for the given amount, helps with claim submissions, and most importantly ensures fairness in claiming charges.
What About Gets Ignored By Employer?
In case an employer does not pay out the expenses uncontested, there are a different set of actions to take to address:
Try To Justify Your Reasoning: Approach HR, or the rest of the management team, and plead to them on why such expenses ought to be considered for reimbursement.
Legal Rights: In the event that your company still does not desire to pay you back for the costs incurred, it may be beneficial to look for a lawyer. UAE employment law may assist you in addressing your problem.
Conclusion: Be Aware Of Your Rights And Claim What Is Rightfully Yours
Even though there is no specific law requiring them to reimburse you for fuel and tolls, it’s common sense that if you’re using your vehicle for company business, the company should pay for these expenses. Knowing your rights is half of the solution, but in this case you need to make sure that you actively seek reimbursement from your employer. If your employer has set policies regarding business expenses, they should be adhered to. For those without policies, taking the initiative to speak up and keep track of expenses can help in getting compensated adequately for work-related travel expenses.