UAE Announces Fines, Penalties it Would Place on People Caught Begging in The Country
- The UAE has strict anti-begging laws under Federal Law by Decree No. 31 of 2021, which sets out clear fines and prison terms for offenders
- Anyone caught begging in the UAE risks a fine of specified amount and a prison sentence
- Those who organise or recruit people from outside the country to beg face far heavier penalties
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The UAE has some of the strictest penalties in the world for begging, with its laws spelling out fines and prison sentences for anyone caught soliciting money on the streets.
Under Federal Law by Decree No. 31 of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, individuals found begging in the country face a fine of AED 5,000 (N1,831,633) and a custodial sentence of up to three months. The law applies broadly and is actively enforced across the Emirates.
Source: UGC
UAE announces penalties for street begging
The consequences grow significantly more severe for those people involved in coordinating begging operations. Anyone who leads or runs a professional begging gang, or who recruits individuals from outside the UAE specifically to beg, faces a prison term of no less than six months alongside a minimum fine of AED 100,000 (N36,632,677).
The legislation was designed with three clear goals:
- To protect the image of the UAE,
- To safeguard the general public, and
- To dismantle both individual and organised begging.
UAE: Social welfare as an alternative
Not every case results in prosecution. The UAE's Public Prosecution retains the discretion to refer individuals accused of begging to the Ministry of Community Development or a relevant local authority, provided the person qualifies for social welfare support.
In such cases, the individual may receive financial assistance or be enrolled in a vocational training programme rather than face criminal charges.
"At the discretion of the UAE’s Public Prosecution, people who are accused of begging, but qualify for social welfare, may be referred to Ministry of Community Development or the competent local authority to get social support or trained for work."
UAE: Minimum monthly salaries for workers
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classified workers into nine professional levels based on international occupational standards.
The ministry published the recognised job categories, ranging from legislators and executives to workers in simple professions.
Source: Legit.ng
