How to be compliant with the New Volunteering Law – essential reading for all UAE businesses.
Did you know Dubai has a new law to regulate volunteering activities? ‘Law No. (5) of 2018 Regulating Volunteer Work in the Emirate of Dubai’ (CDA).
Let’s break it down.
This law was created “to promote social responsibility among community members” and it’s being enforced by the Community Development Authority (CDA). It was issued on 11 April by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and, after a period of soft implementation, it will be fully enforced from 25th October.
So, what do you need to know about the UAE legal framework?
- Any company willing to organise a Corporate Social Responsibility activity in Dubai needs to fully comply with both the CDA and the IACAD legal frameworks:
o If the initiative involves fundraising money or in-kind items, or making a charitable donation, a permit needs to be submitted to the IACAD.
o If the initiative involves people participating in the activity (i.e. volunteering), then the company organising has to register with Dubai Volunteer and obtain approval from the CDA.
- After receiving the CDA’s permit, volunteers also need to register with the Dubai Volunteer portal (on the website or via the App) to sign up for the activity.
- The company organising the activity is expected to do at least three things: train the volunteers, print and bring a QR code to the event, and provide insurance coverage for the activity.
‘No Volunteering Organisation or volunteers may carry out any volunteer activity or allow any volunteer activity to be carried out without obtaining a permit from the CDA’ (Article 6).
It might look complicated, but the good news is we’ve got it all sorted.
At Companies for Good, we are registered with the Dubai Volunteer portal (CDA), and we help UAE businesses organise CSR activities and obtain the legal permits. This new law could make things difficult, but we make everything hassle-free. So, all you need to worry about is getting your employees together and having a great time while doing good.
If you need more information about the legalities of organising a CSR initiative, or if you want to know more about our team activities, visit www.companiesforgood.ae or get in touch with us by email.
Marc Ruiviejo Cirera
Founder of Companies for Good