Government of Dubai has a new HR law

DUBAI LAW TO CREATE CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR INNOVATION

Five-day compassionate leave; people of determination to receive additional bonuses |

Anew human resources law for the Dubai government has been approved with a view to creating a conducive environment for innovation and furthering the emirate’s profile as a model for innovation and excellence.

The HR law, approved yesterday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to attract the best talent and improve legislative frameworks that help establish the right conditions for creating a brighter future.

Shaikh Mohammad said that human resources represent a key element of the development formula in Dubai. The law focuses on ensuring job security and stability for all employees, improving overall performance, enhancing government work, encouraging creativity and innovation among staff, and attracting the right talent that can help strengthen the emirate’s stature as a model.

“We are committed to providing a supportive environment for all Dubai government employees as the performance of the government sector is key to our development journey. Our objective is to ensure a strong work-life balance and stability for all government employees,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

He added: “We have also issued directives to provide all means of assistance to employees regardless of their positions and responsibilities in order to help them realise their full creative potential. The new HR Law reflects our vision for ensuring a better future for employees and the happiness of their families.”

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, said that “the new HR Law is in line with the new futuristic mission of Dubai government as part of which we seek to enhance team spirit and knowledge exchange and streamline efforts to drive Dubai’s development forward.

“Improving government work is a top priority of the government in order to cement its position as a leading government. We will invest all efforts and resources to build the capabilities necessary to drive forward our journey of leadership, innovation and development. We will spare no efforts to empower our human resources so they can always be the best, and the most efficient and competent,” Shaikh Hamdan said.

The new HR Law seeks to promote work-life balance and support working women and the needs of their family. The new law expands the air ticket entitlement for Emirati employees without limiting the number of dependents. Dependents up to 21 years old are covered by the ticket entitlement instead of the previous 18 years. The period of mourning leave has been increased and the number of relatives covered by it has been expanded. Mourning leave for the death of a second degree relative has been increased from three to five working days.

The new law also prioritises training and development at government entities, and enhances the ability of government entities to attract and retain exceptional talent.

Abdullah Ali Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the department, said the continuous support of the leadership has helped to ensure the happiness of Dubai government employees, an objective that is clearly reflected in the new HR Law. He called upon all government entities to speed up the implementation of the new law, adding that the regulations and clauses are being prepared to enable government entities to implement the new law in 2019.