Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: [no number] of 2024
- Issued Date: 15 Apr 2024
- Effective Date: 16 Apr 2024
- Official Gazette: No. 774
- Sector: Labour, Residency and Professions
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 20
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution establishes a Rewards and Incentives Scheme for employees of the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates. The Scheme aims to motivate and retain talented public sector employees by providing mechanisms for financial and non-financial recognition of valuable contributions and achievements. The Resolution defines the types of incentives, eligibility criteria, governance structure, and key requirements for the Scheme's implementation across Federal Entities. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024) The Scheme is significant for businesses and individuals in the UAE as it demonstrates the government's commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, competitiveness, and high performance in the public sector. By rewarding exceptional achievements, the Resolution incentivizes federal employees to go above and beyond in serving the nation's interests and delivering quality public services. This, in turn, can have positive spillover effects on the broader business environment and quality of life for UAE residents. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Resolution aims to provide mechanisms that enable Federal Entities to motivate their employees and recognize their valuable contributions and achievements. This is intended to enhance the culture of loyalty, competitiveness, and high performance in the public sector, as well as retain talented and competent federal employees. The Scheme also seeks to achieve transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities in granting rewards to eligible persons, in line with the objectives and directions of the Federal Government. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 2) The provisions of this Resolution apply to employees serving at Federal Entities governed by the Federal Decree-Law on Human Resources of the Federal Government, across different job grades, employment patterns, and types of work. However, certain categories are excluded, such as employees on probation, temporary employees, outsourced employees, and entities with their own rewards and incentives policies. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 3)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The Resolution defines two key terms:
- Scheme: The Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees.
- Committee: The Rewards and Incentives Committee of the Federal Entity referred to in this Resolution.
These definitions are in addition to those set forth in the Federal Decree-Law on Human Resources of the Federal Government. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The Resolution imposes several key obligations and requirements for the implementation of the Rewards and Incentives Scheme: 1. Appropriations must be available in the approved budget of the Federal Entities. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(1)) 2. An employee cannot concurrently benefit from both an annual performance bonus and any type of promotion, adjustment of special benefits, or benefits of experts and consultants during the same year. A period of at least 12 months must have lapsed since the last promotion, benefit adjustment, or annual performance bonus. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(2)) 3. The total value of all categories of bonuses, including the annual performance bonus, that an employee can obtain in one year under this Resolution must not exceed AED 100,000. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(5)) 4. The employee must not have been subject to an administrative sanction during the year of nomination for any of the bonuses. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(6))
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The legislation does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements for the Rewards and Incentives Scheme.
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The Resolution does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to employees under the Rewards and Incentives Scheme. However, it does aim to achieve transparency, fairness, and equal opportunities in granting rewards, which can be seen as implicit protections. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 2(2))
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The Resolution establishes a Rewards and Incentives Committee in each Federal Entity, which is responsible for the following functions and responsibilities: 1. Reviewing the annual budget of the Scheme and proposing the required funds. 2. Complying with the governance framework and procedures for granting rewards and incentives. 3. Examining applications, approving the list of employees and reward values, and submitting them to the Entity's Chairman for approval. 4. Submitting meeting minutes and regular reports on the Scheme's application results. The Committee is chaired by the Undersecretary, Director-General, or equivalent, and comprises members from the Entity. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 7)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The legislation does not specify any penalties for non-compliance with the Rewards and Incentives Scheme.
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The Resolution stipulates the following key financial provisions: 1. Appropriations must be available in the approved budget of the Federal Entities for the disbursement of financial incentives. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(1)) 2. The total value of all categories of bonuses, including the annual performance bonus, that an employee can obtain in one year under this Resolution must not exceed AED 100,000. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(5)) 3. The Chairman of the Federal Entity may grant UAE national employees whose service has terminated due to retirement a cash or in-kind reward not exceeding AED 50,000. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 5(8))
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The Resolution excludes the following categories of employees from the application of its provisions: a. Employees on probation. b. Employees appointed on a temporary employment basis if the term of the contract is less than 3 months. c. Employees whose service has terminated for whatever reason, except for those whose service has terminated due to reaching the age of retirement. d. Outsourced employees. e. Members of teams and committees to whom financial allowances are paid under any legislation in force. f. Entities that have their own rewards and incentives policies and regulations. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 3(2))
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The legislation does not specify any dispute resolution mechanisms under the Rewards and Incentives Scheme.
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The Resolution does not mention any specific deadlines or time limits for the implementation of the Rewards and Incentives Scheme.
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Cabinet Resolution references the following related UAE legislation: - The Constitution - Federal Law No. (1) of 1972, on the Competences of Ministries and the Powers of Ministers, as amended - Federal Decree-Law No. (49) of 2022, on Human Resources of the Federal Government - Cabinet Resolution No. (48) of 2023, on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. (49) of 2022, on Human Resources of the Federal Government - Federal Law No. (7) of 1999, on Pensions and Social Insurances, as amended - Federal Decree-Law No. (57) of 2023, on Pensions and Social Insurances The Resolution also repeals Cabinet Resolution No. (18) of 2015, on the Regulations for Granting Rewards and Incentives for Employees of the Federal Government. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 9)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force as of the day following the date of its issuance, which is 16 April 2024. (Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees, 2024, Art. 10)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Concerning the Rewards and Incentives Scheme for Federal Government Employees for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.