Simplify DEWS Compliance & Administration

The DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) plan is a mandatory savings scheme launched by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to modernize how employee end-of-service benefits are managed. It replaces the traditional end-of-service gratuity system with a transparent, compliant and secure structure aligned with global best practices in retirement planning. Employers operating within the DIFC must register with the DEWS platform, enroll all eligible employees and contribute monthly.

Contribution rates are based on length of service. For employees with 1 to 5 years of service, the employer contributes 5.83% of the basic salary. For employees with more than 5 years of service, the rate is 8.33% of the basic salary. Contributions go monthly into a regulated savings plan for each eligible employee, and submissions must be timely and accurate in line with DIFC Employment Law.

Yes. Employers have the option to make voluntary top-up contributions, which adds value for employees and reinforces retention strategies. The mandatory rates are set by length of service (5.83% of basic salary for 1 to 5 years, 8.33% for more than 5 years), so any top-up sits above that baseline and needs to be reflected accurately in the monthly submission.

The employee is de-registered on the DEWS portal, and the authorities need essential details to close the record properly: the last working date, personal address and contact information. Keeping those records accurate and up to date is part of ongoing administration, alongside registering new joiners and assessing eligibility. Contract reviews and HR alignment help keep the joiner and leaver process consistent with DIFC compliance requirements.

An authorized signatory registered in the DIFC portal signs the deed of participation. Getting that person registered is part of full registration and onboarding with the DEWS platform, so it is completed before contributions begin. Onboarding also covers assessing which employees are eligible, calculating contributions accurately, and setting up the monthly contribution submissions.

Assessment of employee eligibility, accurate contribution calculations, and preparation and submission of the monthly contributions. Around that sit employee registration and de-registration on the DEWS portal, contract reviews and HR alignment for DIFC compliance, support for voluntary contributions and employee communications, coordination with trustees and fund administrators, and audit assistance and regulatory reporting as needed. BAM Advisors handles these for DIFC based employers.