Dubai Executive Council order links performance to annual bonus and increment for government employees

As per the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the direct supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council (DEC), all local government entities are instructed to begin implementation of the new system of bonuses and increments to develop a modern work environment that lays emphasis on merit and qualification.

According to the announcement, employees will not receive bonuses unless they secure an overall performance rating, equal or higher than '3.0' on the scale of the government's performance appraisal system. The order marks a new phase in the Dubai government's Human Resources (HR) development initiative that was implemented last year.

His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat, DEC Secretary General, said: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammad has clearly articulated his vision by giving priority to the performance of local government employees, focusing solely on their individual achievements and not on their designations or work experience.

"Government sector excellence is one of the pillars of Dubai Government Strategy 2015, and we have realized this cannot be achieved unless we establish the culture of institutional performance among the employees. We encourage them to be creative and more efficient according to the new system, which establishes a direct link between their individual personal improvement and career advancement, as stated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad."

H. E. Bin Byat confirmed that mandatory linking of bonuses and increments to performance appraisals will create a healthy and motivating workplace environment based on qualification and merit.

The new measure is in line with the Dubai Government Strategy, which aims to establish a suitable work environment for human resource development.