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The government of the United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step toward modernizing and increasing the flexibility of the work environment with the announcement of a new remote work system for public sector employees. This initiative will allow government workers to perform their duties from abroad, marking a major shift in how federal entities operate and manage their activities.

A System to Attract Global Talent and Enhance Efficiency

The announcement was made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, through his social media channels. The measure aims to attract highly skilled international talent, enabling the government to access specialized professionals without the traditional geographic limitations.

This new policy seeks to improve the efficiency of government projects, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge in areas such as strategic studies, technology, artificial intelligence, and economic development. By allowing government employees to work from anywhere in the world, the UAE aims to strengthen its global competitiveness and optimize the execution of key initiatives.

Another Step Toward Flexible Work in the UAE

The announcement of the remote work system followed a cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, where other important policies were also approved. These included a national investment strategy for the next six years, new strategic partnerships with other countries, and measures in the fields of health and social affairs.

This initiative is the latest in a series of steps the Emirati government has taken to promote more flexible work models. In January of this year, the government published a technical report analyzing the benefits of remote work in both the public and private sectors. In the introduction of this document, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, advocated for the implementation of proactive policies to promote this work model.

The report highlighted examples of countries that have successfully implemented remote work policies, including the United States, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Taiwan, and Turkey. Additionally, the findings were supported by a study conducted by the Dubai government and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), published in November 2024, which demonstrated that implementing flexible work arrangements could significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city.

According to surveys conducted by the RTA and the Dubai Government’s Human Resources Department, implementing flexible schedules or remote work could significantly decrease congestion on major roads during peak hours. One of the main causes of traffic in Dubai is the daily commute of workers to their offices. Therefore, allowing more employees to work from home or even from abroad could alleviate this problem and improve residents’ quality of life.

With this new policy, the UAE aims not only to enhance the efficiency of the public sector but also to establish itself as an attractive destination for global professionals, reinforcing its image as an innovative country that adapts to the labor trends of the future.