Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Centre (ADGM) has announced significant changes to its employment rules, aimed at promoting flexible working arrangements and addressing workplace rights and obligations. These updates, effective from April 1, 2025, mark a revision of ADGM’s Employment Regulations first established in 2019.
The ADGM Registration Authority (RA), responsible for overseeing the financial centre, has introduced the Employment Regulations 2024, which reflect evolving global workplace trends and provide clearer guidance for both employers and employees. The changes aim to improve the working environment and align with modern-day practices, giving employers ample time to adjust their policies before implementation.
Key updates to the Employment Regulations include:
Flexible Hiring Practices: Employers can now hire remote employees and adopt more flexible working arrangements. This is expected to help businesses attract a diverse talent pool and support employees seeking remote work options.
Clarified Employee Entitlements: The revised regulations address ambiguities around employee rights, including those of part-time workers, ensuring they receive fair treatment and clear entitlements.
Work Permit and Visa Requirements: Updates clarify the processes for obtaining and canceling work permits and visas, helping businesses navigate these administrative requirements more easily.
Anti-Discrimination Policies: Employers will face expanded responsibilities to prevent discrimination and victimization in the workplace, fostering a fairer and more inclusive work environment.
These regulations replace the Employment Regulations 2019 and provide a clearer framework to support employers in aligning their internal policies, contracts, and procedures with the new requirements.
Commenting on the updates, Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, CEO of the ADGM Registration Authority, emphasized the importance of these reforms. “We are proud to announce the Employment Regulations 2024, which reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing our ecosystem and providing a regulatory framework that supports both businesses and employees.
“These changes are aligned with ADGM’s vision of fostering growth, innovation, and inclusivity in workplace systems. The updated regulations will not only guide businesses but also ensure the stability and protection needed for all stakeholders in the business community,” Al Mazrouei said.
The announcement underscores ADGM’s dedication to creating a forward-looking business environment in Abu Dhabi, one that supports innovation and growth while prioritizing employee welfare and workplace fairness. Businesses operating within ADGM are encouraged to begin aligning their policies and employment contracts to comply with the new regulations by the April 2025 deadline.
