Global law firm Clyde & Co has advised the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority on the new DIFC Employment Law*, which will come into force on 28 August 2019.

The new DIFC Employment Law contains significant changes to both the existing DIFC Employment Law and the draft law which was issued by the DIFC Authority as part of its initial consultation in March 2018.

The key changes include the introduction of a six month limitation period for bringing employment claims, greater protection for employees against discrimination (including harassment) and victimisation, enhanced family-friendly benefits and increased clarity for employers and employees in relation to the payment of salaries and other entitlements.

Jacques Visser, Chief Legal Officer at DIFC Authority, said: "The DIFC prides itself in being the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. We constantly review and develop our legislation and the new DIFC Employment Law is part of our drive to maintain our position as a market leader. We decided to instruct Clyde & Co, following extensive feedback from our public consultation, in order to ensure that the new DIFC Employment Law takes into account both employer and employee concerns and properly reflects international best practice."

Rebecca Ford, Employment Partner at Clyde & Co in Dubai, comments: "We are delighted to have been chosen by the DIFC Authority to work with them on the new DIFC Employment Law. The new law will certainly enhance the DIFC's reputation as an attractive environment in which to work and do business in the UAE and the wider region."

The Clyde & Co employment team was led by Rebecca Ford, with the support of Ben Brown (Legal Director).

With 3 partners and 10 legal professionals, Clyde & Co's employment practice is one of the very few in the Middle East to have a dedicated team of specialist employment lawyers advising businesses across the region on all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment law. Its employment specialists assist clients with the full range of issues which arise in the workplace on a day-to-day basis, including recruitment issues, immigration requirements, employee relations issues, disputes and labour court litigation and training on labour laws. Clyde & Co's employment team in the Middle East forms part of its global employment, pensions and immigration practice which has over 50 lawyers globally.

Clyde & Co has the largest presence and is one of most experienced international law firms in the Middle East with over 50 partners and 400 staff, based full time in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, Doha in Qatar, Muscat** in Oman and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, providing a full-service commercial offering of local specialists in commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, employment, intellectual property, international arbitration, finance & banking, insurance, projects & construction, real estate, regulatory & investigations, and technology.

Footnote

*DIFC Law No. 2 of 2019
**Office of Fatma Al Mamari Advocacy and Legal Consultancy Firm, in association with Clyde & Co

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