Dubai passes new ruling on protection of government employees

Dubai has passed a new ruling pertaining to the protection of government employees from occupational injuries and diseases.

Resolution No (62) of 2016 was passed by Dubai Crown Prince and chairman of Dubai Executive Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It outlines the framework for a compensation system for occupational injuries and diseases; rehabilitation for those affected; and the creation of a safe work environment.

The resolution is applicable to all government employees.

In terms of compensation, an injured employee will receive full salary for a period not exceeding one year, or until proven fit, disabled or until death, whichever comes first.

If the treatment requires more than one year, in the case of a UAE national, the case will be referred to the General Pension and Social Security Authority.

If the employee is an expatriate, the case will be referred to the government authorised medical committee to look into extending his or her treatment period for a maximum of one more year.

In such cases, the employee will receive 75 per cent of his or her total salary. The committee may also recommend terminating his or her contract and in such cases, the employee will receive a six-month notice or salary for six months.

The resolution also states that the injured employee will only receive compensation for partial disability, full disability or death due to occupational injury or disease once the case is approved by a medical report from the Federal Medical Committee for nationals and the medical committee for expatriates.

In such cases, the compensation is three years’ salary, but not less than Dhs200,000 and not more than Dhs1,000,000.

The ruling states that a strain injury – “a condition that can arise from forced exertions” – will be treated as an occupational injury.

Meanwhile, to consider the disease occupational, a direct causal link between the disease and the occupation must be established. Also, it must be included in the occupational diseases listed by the Dubai Health Authority; the employee must have served on the job long enough for the disease to be caused by conditions at work; and the symptoms must appear while the employee is in service or one to two years from the date of the end of his or her contract.

Medical treatment for employees injured during official visits and training abroad is also covered.

If the patient suffers any complications six months from the date of the stablisation of the injury, the medical committee will decide the need for additional medical treatment.

Employees must notify their department about any occupational injury within one week.

The Dubai Finance Department will provide the resources to cover all the costs and compensation.

The ruling also requires all government entities to provide a secure work environment and create and update safety procedures.

They must monitor employees while they are carrying out their jobs to reduce risk of occupational injuries and diseases; ensure proper functioning of personal and public safety equipment; analyse industrial accidents and take required measures to ensure such accidents do not occur again.

Government entities should also suspend work if there is any risk to employees’ safety; increase awareness about occupational safety among staff; train employees on safety procedures before resuming work; educate employees about work hazards and preventive measures; and register all occupational injuries and diseases and report them to Dubai Government Human Resources department.

The resolution also urges employees to take all the required precautionary measures, report any equipment and machinery malfunction to the direct supervisor and use personal protection equipment.

The resolution is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.