United Arab Emirates: Employee Protection Insurance Program Forthcoming for Select Employers in Dubai South Free Zone

Effective August 2023, employees of select companies registered in the Dubai South Free Zone will be subject to an Employee Protection Insurance Programme. The program will provide coverage for end of service benefits; repatriation costs; and reimbursement of unpaid expenses, among other benefits. Information on possible fees for employers for the program are not yet available, and it is unclear whether the program will be replacing a similar mechanism introduced for employers in the mainland in 2018.