Abu Dhabi Government enacted a sweeping new HR Law designed to modernise public sector employment, embed meritocracy, and position the government as an employer of choice for high-performing professionals.
The legislation applies to a workforce of more than 25,000 employees; it came into effect yesterday.
A New Framework for Talent Attraction and Progression
Human Resources Law No. (08) of 2025 introduces a fundamental shift in how the government attracts, develops, and retains talent.
It establishes merit-based recruitment and promotion systems, competitive benefits aligned with private-sector benchmarks, and clear career progression pathways based on performance and capability rather than tenure.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Workforce Ambitions
The reform reflects a broader strategic push to build a high-performing workforce capable of delivering modern public services and supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambitions in priority sectors such as artificial intelligence, technology, and specialised professional services.
Leadership Endorsement of a Merit-Driven System
Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement (DGE), said the law represents a decisive modernisation of government employment.
According to Mr Al-Kuttab, “‘this legislation creates an environment where exceptional talent chooses public service, merit drives advancement, and high performers are recognised and rewarded. It ensures the government can attract the calibre of professionals needed to advance our vision of an AI-native government.”
Competing for Talent in a Global Labour Market
Ibrahim Nassir, Under-Secretary of DGE, emphasised the competitive realities of today’s labour market.
“The most talented professionals have global options. Government must compete not only on purpose, but on career development, flexibility, and long-term opportunity,” he said.
The law will introduce accelerated career pathways, comprehensive learning programmes, and work-life balance provisions that reflect how leading modern organisations operate.
Performance-Led Career Advancement
At the core of the legislation is a performance-led employee lifecycle.
High performers gain access to accelerated promotions without rigid tenure requirements, performance-based allowances for distinguished contributions, and faster progression for outstanding new graduates through reduced probation periods.
Modern Benefits and Flexible Work Models
The law also introduces benefits designed to appeal to highly skilled professionals.
These include entrepreneurship leave allowing employees to pursue business ventures while remaining in public service, expanded parental leave with enhanced maternity support and doubled paternity leave, and flexible working models such as compressed schedules, optimised hours, and expanded remote work options.
Building an Inclusive and Resilient Workforce
To support long-term workforce resilience, the legislation modernises learning and development frameworks to enable continuous reskilling, updates leave policies to reflect employees’ broader life needs and strengthens inclusion through tailored provisions for People of Determination.
Replacing Legacy Systems with Global Best Practice
Together, these measures replace legacy HR approaches with a contemporary employment framework aligned with global best practice and future public sector needs.
Enabling a Future-Ready Government Workforce
The law aims to retain high performers and foster a culture where excellence is consistently recognised and developed, supporting Abu Dhabi’s goal of a capable, future-ready government workforce.
Implementation and Effective Date
DGE will work closely with government entities across the emirate to ensure smooth implementation and provide ongoing support as the new Human Resources Law takes effect.
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