DEWS is the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings scheme, the funded savings system that replaces traditional end-of-service gratuity for employees of DIFC-registered firms.
What it does
Since February 2020, DIFC employers contribute monthly to DEWS — 5.83% of basic salary in the first 5 years of an employee's service, 8.33% thereafter. The contributions are paid into a regulated savings vehicle that the employee owns; employees can also make voluntary top-ups. Unlike traditional gratuity (which the employer pays at end-of-service from operating cash), DEWS is fully funded throughout employment.
Key facts
| Type | Funded savings scheme |
| Jurisdiction | DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) |
| Effective | February 2020 |
| Employer contribution | 5.83% basic (first 5 years); 8.33% thereafter |
| Voluntary top-up | Yes — employee can add |
| Portability | Stays with employee across DIFC employers |
| Official portal | difcdews.com |
