Employment Law DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019

Part1: GENERAL.............................................................................................................................................................1

1.Title and repeal ......................................................................................................................................................1

2.Legislative Authority...............................................................................................................................................1

3.Purpose of this Law.................................................................................................................................................1

4.Application of the Law............................................................................................................................................1

5.Date of enactment...................................................................................................................................................2

6.Commencement.......................................................................................................................................................2

7.Schedules................................................................................................................................................................2

8.Administration of the Law.......................................................................................................................................2

9.The power of the DIFCA to make Regulations and impose fines and penalties......................................................3

10.Limitation Period...................................................................................................................................................3

Part2: HIRING EMPLOYEES.............................................................................................................................................4

11.No waiver...............................................................................................................................................................4

12.No false representations.......................................................................................................................................4

13.Hiring children.......................................................................................................................................................4

14.Right to a written contract....................................................................................................................................4

15.Itemised pay statements.......................................................................................................................................5

16.Payroll records.......................................................................................................................................................5

17.Part-Time Employees and Short-Term Employees.................................................................................................6

Part3: PROTECTION OF REMUNERATION..........................................................................................................................8

18.Paydays.................................................................................................................................................................8

19.Payments following termination............................................................................................................................8

20.Deductions............................................................................................................................................................8

21.Recruitment costs.................................................................................................................................................9

Part4: WORKING TIME AND LEAVE................................................................................................................................10

22.Maximum weekly working time............................................................................................................................10

23.Ramadan..............................................................................................................................................................10

24.Daily rest.............................................................................................................................................................10

25.Weekly rest period...............................................................................................................................................10

26.Breaks.................................................................................................................................................................10

27.Vacation Leave....................................................................................................................................................10

28.Compensation in lieu of Vacation Leave.............................................................................................................10

29.Dates of Vacation Leave......................................................................................................................................11

30.Vacation Leave during first year of employment.................................................................................................11

31.Entitlements under other provisions...................................................................................................................11

32.Public Holidays and pay.......................................................................................................................................11

33.Special Leave......................................................................................................................................................11

34.Sick Leave...........................................................................................................................................................12

35.Sick Pay...............................................................................................................................................................12

36.Excessive Sick Leave..........................................................................................................................................12

Part5: PARENTAL LEAVE AND RELATED RIGHTS............................................................................................................13

37.Maternity Leave...................................................................................................................................................13

38.Maternity Pay.......................................................................................................................................................13

39.Paternity Leave and pay......................................................................................................................................13

40.Right to return to work........................................................................................................................................14

Part6: TIME OFF WORK.................................................................................................................................................15

41.Time offfor ante-natal care and adoption proceedings......................................................................................15

42.Remuneration for time off under Article ............................................................................................................15

Part7: EMPLOYER’S OBLIGATIONS.................................................................................................................................16

43.General duties of Employers................................................................................................................................16

44.Health and safety................................................................................................................................................16

45.Ventilation...........................................................................................................................................................16

46.Temperature inindoor workplaces.......................................................................................................................16

47.Lighting................................................................................................................................................................16

48.Cleanliness..........................................................................................................................................................16

49.Room dimensions and space...............................................................................................................................16

50.Workstations and seating...................................................................................................................................17

51.Sanitary conveniences........................................................................................................................................17

52.Drinking water.....................................................................................................................................................17

53.No penalties for preventing health and safety risks...........................................................................................17

54.Liability of Employers for an Employee’s conduct...............................................................................................17

55.Employment accidents and illnesses..................................................................................................................17

56.Health insurance.................................................................................................................................................17

57.Visas and permits................................................................................................................................................18

Part8: EMPLOYEE’S OBLIGATIONS.................................................................................................................................19

58.General duties of Employees...............................................................................................................................19

Part9: NON-DISCRIMINATION........................................................................................................................................20

59.Discrimination......................................................................................................................................................20

60.Victimisation........................................................................................................................................................21

61.Proceedings under Part 9....................................................................................................................................22

Part10: TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT........................................................................................................................24

62.Minimum notice periods......................................................................................................................................24

63.Termination for cause..........................................................................................................................................24

64.Right to written statement of reasons................................................................................................................25

65.Pension for UAE and GCC nationals.....................................................................................................................25

66.Gratuity Payment and Qualifying Scheme Benefits.............................................................................................25

Part11: GENERAL CONTRAVENTIONS............................................................................................................................29

67.General contraventions.......................................................................................................................................29

68.Administration of fines and penalties.................................................................................................................29

69.Inspections and access to records.....................................................................................................................30

70.Liability of the DIFCA...........................................................................................................................................30

Schedule1...................................................................................................................................................................31

Schedule2 CONTRAVENTIONS AND FINES.....................................................................................................................37