How are employment rights in DIFC different from onshore Dubai?

DIFC employment sits under the centre's own law and courts, so the two offers differ in three practical ways. End-of-service: onshore Dubai employers pay a gratuity based on basic salary and years of service; DIFC employers instead make monthly contributions into the DEWS workplace savings plan. Disputes: onshore complaints start with MOHRE and proceed to UAE courts in Arabic; DIFC disputes go to the common-law, English-language DIFC Courts with a small claims tribunal. The rulebooks also differ on leave, sick pay, discrimination, and termination. Neither system is automatically better — it depends on the contract in front of you. Full step-by-step guide: DIFC vs onshore employment law.