Dubai Municipality announced upgraded planning and design standards for workers' accommodation on 18 September 2026, aiming to improve living conditions for expatriate laborers. Following a comprehensive survey of 1,417 labor accommodation buildings, the municipality has implemented strict new requirements.
- New rules require a minimum sleeping area of 3.7 square meters per worker.
- 19 facilities are now designated as Model Workers' Accommodation.
- Employers with 50 or more low-wage staff must provide compliant housing.
These regulations mandate a minimum sleeping area of 3.7 square meters per worker inside bedrooms, an overall floor area of 8.9 to 10.3 square meters per person including services, and dedicated outdoor or recreation space ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 square meters per person. As part of these new measures,
19 facilities have been designated as Model Workers' Accommodation, categorized into 3 Platinum, 9 Gold, and 7 Silver ratings. The municipality has also launched a unified smart classification system and a shared government database to monitor these areas. Additionally, field surveys are currently mapping infrastructure requirements, such as missing pavements, pedestrian bridges, and parking facilities within labor zones.
While the 3.7 square meter rule was previously outlined in Administrative Resolution No. 110 of 2020,
Dubai Municipality is now treating the standard as an active enforcement policy. The regulations stipulate that each worker must have an individual bed, strictly prohibiting shared mattresses or rotating shift use. Rooms must feature lockable 2-meter wardrobes and raised beds, with triple bunks now forbidden.
Employers with 50 or more low-wage staff are legally required to provide housing that adheres to these specifications. These initiatives are aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, with officials stating the goal is to enhance building safety, public health, and general liveability. These updates were confirmed via a Dubai Municipality briefing, alongside reporting from Khaleej Times and Gulf News.
