Employment Gratuity (End of Service)
مكافأة نهاية الخدمة
Employment gratuity, or end-of-service benefit, is a lump sum that UAE private-sector employers must pay to employees who complete at least one year of continuous service. Under Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 on the regulation of labour relations, the calculation is: 21 days of basic wage for each of the first five years of service, plus 30 days of basic wage for each additional year, capped at two years' total wages. The basic wage used for the calculation excludes housing, transport, and other allowances. Deductions are permitted only for amounts the employee owes the employer. Gratuity must be paid within 14 days of contract termination; late payment exposes the employer to fines and interest. DIFC and ADGM have their own separate regimes.
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مكافأة نهاية الخدمة هي مبلغ إجمالي يلتزم صاحب العمل في القطاع الخاص بالإمارات بدفعه للعامل الذي أكمل سنة واحدة على الأقل من الخدمة المتصلة. وفق المرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم 33 لسنة 2021 بشأن تنظيم علاقات العمل، تُحتسب المكافأة على أساس: 21 يوماً من الأجر الأساسي عن كل سنة من السنوات الخمس الأولى، ثم 30 يوماً من الأجر الأساسي عن كل سنة إضافية، بسقف أقصى يعادل أجر سنتين. ويُستخدم الأجر الأساسي في الاحتساب دون بدلات السكن أو النقل وغيرها. ولا تُسمح الخصومات إلا بقدر ما على العامل للمنشأة. يجب سداد المكافأة خلال 14 يوماً من انتهاء العقد، وإلا تعرّض صاحب العمل لغرامات وفوائد تأخير. ولمركزي دبي المالي وأبوظبي الغلوبال ماركت نظامان مستقلان.
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Cabinet Resolution No. (41) of 2024 Concerning the Remunerations of Board of Directors in the Federal Government
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Cabinet Resolution No. (96) of 2023 Concerning the Alternative Voluntary End of Service Scheme
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