The UAE is introducing a scheme which gives workers a year off if they leave to set up a business.
Starting on January 2, 2023 the UAE government will start implementing the Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment scheme for UAE national employees of the federal government.
The scheme is a world-first and is one of the project is part of the so-called “Projects of the 50” initiatives announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, last July.
UAE Entrepreneurship Leave
The entrepreneurship leave for self-employment scheme aims to empower UAE nationals and motivate them to set up their own companies.
The project is open to UAE national employees working in federal government entities.
The duration of the entrepreneurship leave for self-employment that is granted to the employee in order to establish or manage his economic project is one paid year. Successful applicants will be paid half their salary during the sabbatical.
The UAE nationals working for the federal government can apply for Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment online. Details on salaries, paid leave duration, and the conditions and requirements can be found a Federal Authority for Government Human Resources website.
Employees can combine the entrepreneurship leave for self-employment, unpaid leave, and annual leave.
The entrepreneurship leave for self-employment offers citizens incentives to launch pioneering projects and companies that contribute to strengthening the economy and support the United Arab Emirates.
Laila Obaid Al Suwaidi, Acting Director-General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said: “The Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment reflects the pioneering vision of the UAE leadership, which aims to motivate the national cadres to approach the world of entrepreneurship.
“The authority worked on preparing a guide for Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment, regulating the mechanism and procedures for granting ministries and federal entities the Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment, to their national employees wishing to launch their own projects.
Al Suwaidi said the government will work to launch partnerships with business incubators and the private sector, to build train employees who have obtained an Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment.
UAE Nationals will receive support in setting up companies and also in management.
In coordination with the Ministries of Economy, Human Resources and Emiratization, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has also prepared a detailed guide for economic projects and establishments that contribute to the revitalisation of the country’s economy, including details that help the authorities when considering their employees’ requests for Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment,” added Al Suwaidi.
