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The new law issued by HH Sheikh Mohammed will help to regulate volunteering in Dubai
16 April 2018
| Last updated on 13 November 2018
A new law has been issued that will see any volunteer work and volunteering initiatives in Dubai properly regulated.
As part of the new law, community groups and other organisations will now need special permissions to carry out any type of voluntary work.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has issued Law No. (5) of 2018, which relates to volunteering in Dubai.
It will come into effect once published in The Official Gazette, and aims to regulate volunteering activity and promote social responsibility within society. The law also aims to 'stimulate positive social engagement and encourage people to serve their communities'.
This new legislation will mean volunteers should carry an official ID card, and keep records of their activities.
In order to implement this new regulation, Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA) have been granted permission to establish, implement and oversee plans and policies required to regulate volunteering in Dubai.
As a result, anyone wishing to volunteer or hold a volunteering initiative must contact the CDA before any voluntary work is undertaken.
Fundraising and volunteering laws in Dubai
This new law follows the introduction of laws governing charities and fundraising back in 2016, which ensured that anyone wishing to fundraise in Dubai must receive prior approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) through one of its registered charities.
How the new law will regulate volunteering in Dubai
As part of this new 2018 law, the CDA will encourage public and private sectors to sponsor volunteering programmes and conduct programmes to raise awareness about the importance of volunteering in community development.
The CDA will also be responsible for coordinating volunteering programmes, and establishing a database for volunteers in Dubai. They'll issue identification cards for volunteers, and issue participation certificates for volunteers, while also helping entities to attract volunteers for their initiatives.
The new law also sets out:
- public and private entities engaged in volunteering activities should define the regulations governing their efforts, and provide these to the CDA
- they should also specify the category and nature of the volunteering activity, and train volunteers to perform the work if required
- entities must maintain a record of volunteers' names, personal information, the nature of their work and how many hours
- this information should be registered in the CDA's database
- all required tools and safety equipment required should be provided for volunteers to perform their activity
- groups must provide insurance coverage against injuries
- volunteers must sign the volunteering agreement issued by the CDA, which should detail the relationship between the volunteer and the entity
- volunteers under 18 years old must obtain approval from their legal guardian
- the volunteer must enjoy a record of 'good conduct', be physically fit and be registered as a volunteer with the CDA
