Companies in the UAE employing more than 50 workers must offer free accommodation to those paid less than AED2,000 ($545) per month, according to a new government decree.

The decree will come into force this December, according to a statement issued by Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and carried by the UAE state news agency WAM.

Housing facilities are subject to regular inspection visits to ensure standards are met, the statement said.

“The Decree, which demands that facilities that employ over 50 workers earning two thousand Dirhams or less per month provide proper accommodation to those workers, came following recent studies related to the labour market,” Mr. Ghobash said.

“Experts spent several months studying the living conditions of those workers, who have been listed in the ministry’s classifications system as low-skill labourers. The ministry follows up on the workers’ housing via inspectional visits and takes legal action against violating facilities.”