Law specifies new system for holidays, raises

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai law number 27 for 2006 pertaining to the management of human resources for Dubai government.

Under the new 230 article, all human resources units at Dubai government's entities are obliged to implement the policies and procedures provided by the law, in collaboration with the government's Human Resources Committee, to be formed by a resolution issued by the Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The law sets out the committee's tasks, including reviewing department proposals and complaints relating to human resources, conducting studies and research, monitoring and evaluating benchmarks and lessons learned from international best practices in a similar field.

According to article No. 227, the Executive Council is assigned to issue any regulations that help human resources development in public departments, including planning, recruitment, training and performance management.

Article No. 229 of the law provides for assigning grades for government employees.The law shall replace the personnel system in place since 1992. Any other provisions that contradict this law shall be abrogated. The law will come into effect six months after the date of issuance on December 26, 2006.

It also sets up a new system for salaries, allowances, holidays, raises and promotions. It grants employees yearly performance-based bonuses.

According to the new law, national and expatriate government employees are equal in salaries and allowances, except for a special allowance for nationals that increases as the grades go lower, and a minimum wage of Dh4,250 is mandatory for nationals.

The law also states that nationals with special needs should be employed in suitable jobs, and their workplaces must be equip-ped to suit their needs.

Pregnant employees are entitled to 60-days paid maternity leave that may be combined with their annual leave, and up to 100 days unpaid leave, while a male employee whose wife delivers a baby in the UAE is given three days paternity leave.

The law also has articles relating to combating corruption and bribes and contradiction of interest between departments, abuse of power, and manipulation of governmental resources.

The new law is aimed at driving efficiency and enhancing government employees' capabilities and improving their skills.

It was the main topic discussed at the Dubai Executive Council meeting yesterday, which was chaired by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who instructed the speedy implementation of the law and providing financial and administrative support necessary for its enactment.