Overview
Employment relationships in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, complemented by free zone frameworks such as DIFC Employment Law No. 2 of 2019 and ADGM Employment Regulations 2019.
The regime covers employment contracts, employee benefits, termination, gratuity, restrictive covenants, anti-discrimination, and dispute resolution. Employers must balance compliance with building a sustainable workplace culture that retains talent.
Foreign employers entering the UAE face additional challenges: navigating labour court jurisdiction, free zone vs mainland employment obligations, and compliance with Emiratisation requirements. Missteps can result in financial penalties, reputational damage, or litigation.
How Can Employment Lawyers Help?
Employment Contract Drafting & Review
Tailoring contracts for DIFC, ADGM, and mainland jurisdictions
Drafting fixed-term and unlimited contracts aligned with the law
HR Policies & Benefits
Designing staff handbooks, bonus/incentive schemes, and ESOPs
Advising on end-of-service gratuity law in the UAE
Dispute Resolution & Termination
Handling unfair dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract claims
Advising on settlement agreements and severance packages.
Compliance Advisory
Emiratisation obligations for corporates
Compliance with health & safety and workplace diversity laws
Our Experience in Employement & Labour Laws
Represented multinational employers in redundancy programmes across the UAE free zones.
Drafted executive employment contracts with restrictive covenants.
Advised on end-of-service calculations and disputes under Federal Labour Law.
Supported startups in designing ESOPs and incentive frameworks to retain talent.
Legal Services We Provide
Employment contract drafting, review, and negotiation
HR policies, staff handbooks, and compliance frameworks
Termination, redundancy, and settlement advisory
Gratuity calculations and end-of-service disputes
Representation in employment litigation and arbitration
Advisory on Emiratisation and labour inspections
⚖️ At Pin Legal Consultancy, our employment lawyers combine mastery of Federal Labour Law, DIFC and ADGM frameworks, and practical business insight to deliver comprehensive employment law solutions for corporates, startups, and high-net-worth executives.
