‘Flexible Work’ service for caregivers in Abu Dhabi

In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and the Department of Government Enablement (DGE) announced the details of the “Flexible Work” service, which allows employees who are caregivers for their elderly parents to benefit from flexible work arrangements, as part of the “Barakatna” (Our Blessing) initiative launched by the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Abdul Rahman Al Balushi, Director of Strategic Planning and Institutional Development at the FDF, explained that the service enables employees to apply for a “Primary Caregiver for Parents” certificate.

This certificate allows them to formally request flexible work arrangements from their employer, based on clear conditions and criteria. He noted that key requirements include the applicant being employed by a government entity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the elderly parent requiring continuous care at home, as confirmed by a medical report issued by a licensed healthcare facility in Abu Dhabi, provided the report is no more than three months old.

Wafa Mohammed Al Ali, Director of Family Development at the FDF emphasised that among the conditions for obtaining the flexible work service is that the applicant’s parents must be senior citizens over 60 years old, in accordance with the National Policy for Senior Citizens.

The applicant also must be a first-degree relative (son or daughter), reside permanently with the parents in the same place, and be the primary caregiver.

Additionally, the applicant must hold a family book issued by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and be a permanent resident of the emirate. Al Ali further explained that applications are submitted through the “TAMM” government services platform using digital identity.

Applicants are required to attach the required documents and then they will receive a confirmation notice. A field visit is then scheduled for a social study, followed by case evaluation and issuance of the certificate.