Key Highlights

  • Onboarding of organisations based in the Dubai International Financial Centre will begin from 1 February 2020.
  • Enrolment period has been extended to 31 March 2020, with first contributions to be made by 21 April 2020 for February and March payroll.

Dubai, UAE: The DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) scheme, the progressive end-of-service benefits (EoSB) scheme for employees working in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), is now live.

Pioneered by the DIFC, the leading international financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, DEWS is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to set a new standard for management of end of service liability in the region. The introduction of DEWS will restructure the current defined employee benefit scheme into a funded and professionally managed, defined contribution savings plan with a voluntary savings component.

As of 1 February 2020, DIFC-registered companies can enrol into the scheme and begin making contributions towards a better future for their employees. The enrolment period for organisations to transition to the DEWS scheme has been extended to 31 March 2020, and employers will have until 21 April 2020 to make their first contribution, covering February and March payroll. Following this, employers will be required to make contribution payments before the 21st of each month.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Authority, commented: “The DIFC Employee Workplace Savings Scheme highlights our commitment to providing our 24,000 professionals with the best protection and returns at the end of their service or retirement. As one of our trusted partners, Zurich Workplace Solutions have demonstrated their exceptional capabilities and we are pleased to be working with them to implement the new DEWS scheme.”

Following an extensive selection process to ensure a world class solution for DEWS, DIFC appointed Zurich in the Middle East and it’s DIFC based entity Zurich Workplace Solutions (ZWS) to the role of Plan Administrator, Equiom as the Master Trustee and Mercer as the Investment Adviser. As Plan Administrator, ZWS is responsible for the day-to-day management of the scheme including providing an online portal for employers and employees, employer and employee enrolment, member account and contribution management, facilitating the investment process and enabling withdrawals.

Reena Vivek, Senior Executive Officer at Zurich Workplace Solutions, said: “This is a new era for DIFC employers and employees, with DEWS setting the benchmark for other free zones and commercial areas in the UAE and the greater Middle East. We have made it our mission to ensure that the onboarding process for organisations and professionals becoming a part of the DEWS ecosystem is a seamless experience.  With this in mind, ZWS has been engaging with the community through a number of channels to prepare participants for new scheme in the lead up to the launch.”

ZWS has been running face-to-face employer forums, setting up on-site information booths for employees, providing guides and resources via a dedicated website and undertaking “house calls” to organisations in the DIFC to facilitate a smooth transition. Moving forward, a dedicated ZWS support team will be available for guidance, along with a series of tutorials and webinars offering step-by-step instructions.

Keeping with the theme of simpler and more convenient onboarding, ZWS have partnered with market leading UK based technology provider, Smart Pension Limited, to deliver an easy to use digital fulfilment platform for DEWS. Once employers have enrolled through the platform, employees within the organisation will be granted access to their online account, which will serve as a one stop shop for all DEWS related activities.

A recent report released by Zurich Middle East and Insight Discovery revealed that in 2019, 75% of companies did not “ring fence” their EoSB liabilities, putting undue pressure on their business and creating greater uncertainty around pay-outs for employees. By enrolling into DEWS, over 2300 employers in DIFC will gain access to a structured, professionally managed plan which minimises these business risks. Additionally, they will be able to attract the best local and international talent and have greater clarity around EoSB liabilities.

The benefits to the 24,000 employees working at the DIFC is equally compelling. They will receive greater security and visibility over their EoSB entitlements, have the option to make contributions towards their savings goals, and be able to select an investment profile that aligns with their attitude to risk.

Zurich Workplace Solutions is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and is appointed as the Administrator to the DEWS scheme.

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.