How is end-of-service calculated for DIFC employees under DEWS?

DIFC employees are treated differently from mainland UAE workers. Since 2020, the DIFC replaced the traditional lump-sum end-of-service gratuity with the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) plan, a funded scheme governed by DIFC Employment Law. Instead of accruing a gratuity paid at the end, your employer makes regular monthly contributions into the DEWS plan (or a qualifying alternative scheme) based on your basic salary, and those contributions are invested and paid to you when you leave. The contribution rate is set by the DIFC framework and rises with length of service, so confirm your applicable rate and any service that pre-dates the scheme — service accrued before DEWS began may still carry a legacy gratuity entitlement up to that point. Because DEWS is contribution-based, your final benefit reflects what was paid in plus investment performance, not the mainland 21/30-day formula. Check your DIFC employment contract and DEWS statements for your balance. For disputes over contributions or pre-DEWS service, you can review the DIFC rules or compare verified UAE employment lawyers on LEXAI.