DIFC Law · Dubai International Financial Centre
DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005 — Employment Law
A reference record of DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005, drawn from the instrument's own official text. It sets out how the law is organised — its Parts, its article count and its length — and links to the text itself. It does not interpret the law or offer advice on it.
Where this instrument arises in our work: Employment & Labour
At a glance
| Citation | DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005 |
| Short title | Employment Law |
| Instrument type | DIFC Law |
| Enacted | 2005 |
| Jurisdiction | Dubai International Financial Centre |
| Parts | 14 |
| Numbered articles | 84 |
| Length of official text | 37 pages |
How DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005 is organised
The 14 Parts below are the instrument's own divisions, in the order the official text sets them out.
| Part | Heading |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | General |
| Part 2 | Hiring Employees |
| Part 3 | Protection Of Wages |
| Part 4 | Working Time And Leave |
| Part 5 | Maternity Rights |
| Part 6 | Employer'S Obligations |
| Part 7 | Time Off Work |
| Part 8 | Employee'S Obligations |
| Part 9 | Non Discrimination |
| Part 10 | Termination Of Employment |
| Part 11 | Director Of Employment Standards |
| Part 12 | Complaints, Investigations And Determinations |
| Part 13 | Enforcement |
| Part 14 | Appeals |
What DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005 covers, article by article
The 81 article headings below are the instrument's own, reproduced in its order. They are a map of the law, not a summary of it — for the wording of any article, read the official text.
- Title
- Legislative Authority
- Purpose of this Law
- Application of the Law
- Date of enactment
- Commencement
- Interpretation
- No Waiver
- No false representations
- Hiring children
- Right to statements of employment particulars
- Right to itemised pay statement
- Short term employment
- Payroll records
- Paydays
- If employment is terminated
- No unauthorised deductions
- No charge for hiring or providing information
- Maximum weekly working time
- Excessive hours
- Reduced Hours During Ramadan
- Daily rest
- Weekly rest period
- Rest breaks
- Annual vacation leave
- Compensation in lieu of vacation leave
- Dates on which leave is taken
- Leave during the first year of employment
- Entitlements under other provisions
- Entitlement to national holidays
- Special leave
- Sick leave
- Sick pay
- Sick leave entitlement
- Maternity Leave
- Maternity pay
- Right to return to work
- General duties of employers to their employees
- Health and safety duties
- Ventilation
- Temperature in indoor workplaces
- Lighting
- Cleanliness
- Room dimensions and space
- Workstations and seating
- Sanitary conveniences
- Drinking water
- No penalties for preventing health and safety risks
- Compensation for employment accidents and occupational diseases
- Health and Disability Income Insurance
- Right to time off to look for work or arrange training
- Right to time off for ante-natal care
- Right to remuneration for time off under Articles 52 and 53
- General duties of employees at work
- Discrimination
- Rights of employer and employee to minimum notice
- Right to written statement of reasons for dismissal
- Director may determine termination of employment
- End of service gratuity
- Director of Employment Standards
- Powers of the Director
- Regulations
- Immunity of Director and others
- Complaints
- Investigations
- Opportunity to be heard
- Determinations and orders by the Director
- Failure to comply
- Power to vary determination
- Notifying others of determination
- Settlement agreements
- Employee not to be mistreated because of complaint or investigation
- Obstruction of the Director
- Power to grant exemptions
- Obligation to keep information confidential
- Associated employers
- Contraventions attributable to officers, directors and agents
- Monetary fines
- Payment of interest
- Determination and orders may be filed and enforced as judgments
- Powers of the Court on appeal
Decisions applying this instrument
DIFC Courts decisions on this estate that cite it, most recent first. Each link goes to our record of that decision, not to commentary on it.
- CFI 081/2026 — CFI 081/2026 Perrin v Pamula 12 Oct 2026
- CFI 087/2025 — CFI 087/2025 Phenix v Patton 12 Oct 2026
- SCT 060/2026 — Permelia v Prairie [2026] DIFC SCT 060 12 Oct 2026
- SCT 466/2025 — Perry v Paisleigh [2025] SCT 466 6 Aug 2026
- CFI 011/2026 — CFI 011/2026 Paul v Peyton 20 Jul 2026
- SCT 027/2026 — Parker v Penelope [2026] DIFC SCT 027 6 Jul 2026
- CFI 009/2024 — CFI 009/2024 Amitesh Gahlowt Amar Nath Singh v Coinvesting Capital Limit 5 May 2026
- CFI 107/2025 — CFI 107/2025 Oluremi v Omolara 3 Mar 2026
- SCT 295/2025 — Olexa v Odon [2025] DIFC SCT 295 10 Dec 2025
- SCT 405/2025 — Olla v Olga [2025] DIFC SCT 405 26 Nov 2025
- SCT 333/2025 — Olia v Onawa [2025] DIFC SCT 333 6 Nov 2025
- SCT 543/2025 — Ormond v Oral [2025] DIFC SCT 543 16 Oct 2025
269 decisions on this estate cite this instrument. Browse all DIFC case records.
Primary sources
Everything on this page comes from these two. Links go to the issuing legislator.
Acting on DIFC Law No. 4 of 2005
This page is a record, not advice. If employment law bears on a matter you are dealing with, speak to us about the facts.