New oversight rules in Dubai set clearer penalties for financial misconduct

Dubai: Dubai has introduced a new set of rules to streamline how financial and administrative violations are handled within government-linked entities, with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, and accountability.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Financial Audit Authority, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE, two central committees—the Violations Committee and the Grievances Committee—have been granted formal operating procedures.

The rules apply to all employees, including senior executives and CEOs, working in organisations overseen by the Financial Audit Authority.

The move aims to ensure disciplinary action is consistent and proportionate to the offence, while protecting employee rights. It also provides employees with the legal right to appeal any job-related penalties within 15 working days of being notified.

Violations will be reviewed by the Central Violations Committee, which is mandated to carry out objective investigations and ensure penalties align with the seriousness of the offence. The new rules ban imposing multiple penalties for a single offence and stress the importance of transparency and documented justification for all actions taken.

If an employee challenges a decision, their case is reviewed by the Grievances Committee. Once a ruling is made, the employer must implement the decision and notify the Financial Audit Authority.

Both committees are required to keep proceedings confidential unless disclosure is authorised by the Director General and serves the public interest.

The changes are seen as part of a broader effort to safeguard public finances, maintain high standards of governance, and boost trust in disciplinary and appeals processes within Dubai’s public sector.