If an employer or employee is working within the DIFC or ADGM, then the DIFC/ADGM Employment Law will apply to the employment contract. The DIFC and ADGM are federal financial freezones, which have their own set of laws and regulations based on the Common Law. Employment matters at the DIFC are governed by DIFC Law No. 2/2019 DIFC Employment Law. This new law was enacted on 30 May 2019 and came into force as of 28 August 2019. The new law repeals DIFC Law No. 4/2005 DIFC Employment Law, which was amended by DIFC Law No. 3/2012. At the ADGM, employment matters are governed by the ADGM Employment Regulations 2019.

Both the DIFC and the ADGM employment laws cover discrimination in the workplace and both laws aim to prevent employees from being discriminated against on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, nationality, religion, mental or physical disability, age, pregnancy, and maternity.

Protected Class: These are the categories set out under DIFC Law No. 2/2019 and ADGM Employment Regulation.