As published in Khaleej Times
WAM/Dubai

Move aims to ensure equal opportunities and protect rights of pensioners.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Decree No. 21 of 2017 approving the retirement and pension procedures applicable to Dubai government employees. The decree aims to ensure equal opportunities for Dubai government employees and further protect the rights of pensioners.

According to the decree, Dubai government human resources department (DGHR) will form a committee to evaluate the retirement requests of employees. A representative of DGHR will chair the committee. The committee is composed of representatives from Dubai’s Department of Finance, the General Secretariat of Dubai Executive Council and the General Secretariat of Dubai’s Supreme Legislation Committee.

The decree also defines retirement procedures. Pursuant to the decree, Dubai government entities must refer their employees’ retirement requests to DGHR. The application must clarify the reasons for retirement and provide all the required information and documents and meet any other requirements set by the committee. The government entity is responsible for completing the application, satisfying the requirements and completing the documents prior to submission to the committee.

DGHR is responsible for following up the committee’s recommendations, including referring its recommendations to the General Secretariat of Dubai’s Supreme Legislation Committee to issue the required legislation prior to submission to His Highness the Ruler for final approval.

According to the decree, the committee must consider the financial impact of the employee’s retirement, and the retirement request’s conformity with the Pension and the Social Security Federal Law No. 07 of 1999 and its amendments.

The committee must also consider the employee’s medical and social condition, the government entity’s restructuring plans, overstaffing or any other alternatives for retirement. The retirement request can be exempted from the abovementioned procedures by virtue of an order from His Highness the Ruler or the Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The DGHR director general may issue the required bylaws to ensure the implementation of this decree. This decree annuls any other legislation that contradicts or challenges its articles. The decree will be effective from the date of publication and will be published in the Official Gazette.