1. Introduction
On May 7 2025, The Walt Disney Company and Miral announced the creation of a landmark Disney Theme Park resort in Abu Dhabi (the “Project”), United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), the first in the region, and the seventh Disney destination in the world. This Project is to be located in Yas Island, a leading hub known for its entertainment and leisure offerings, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

2. Economy, Opportunities and Growth
This Project contributes to Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 (the “Economic Vision 2030”). This vision aims to transform the emirates economy without heavily relying on the oil sector and instead, focusing on knowledge based industries. The government is prioritising the following:

• Developing an effective and efficient global integrated business environment;
• Adopting disciplined fiscal policies in relation to economic cycles;
• Establishing a strong financial and monetary market with manageable levels of inflation;
• Improving the efficiency of the labour market;
• Developing sufficient infrastructure to support future economic growth;
• Developing a highly skilled and productive work force; and
• Enabling financial markets to finance economic sectors and projects.

The Project will significantly impact the UAE and the Economic Vision 2030 by increasing its tourism and contributing to economic growth. Yas Island is the home to several landmark destinations in the region such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros World, Seaworld, Yas Marina Circuit, and Yas Waterworld, making the island a touristic hub and a money generator for the UAE’s economy. Given the variety of hotels, restaurants, events, and experiences offered on the island, tourists are most likely to have longer stays, and a higher spend. Yas Island has an ideal geographical location owing to its proximity to Africa, India, and Middle Eastern countries where two billion people reside within a four hour flight radius from the island. This makes the Project highly accessible, especially for tourists who do not wish to travel on long flights or individuals who are unable to travel to countries that already have a Disney theme park. The Project will boost hospitality, transportation, retail, and entertainment sectors in the UAE.

Positioned along the waterfront, just 20 minutes away from downtown Abu Dhabi, and only a 50 minute drive to Dubai, this strategic location of the Project will naturally increase investment within the UAE. It is an ideal opportunity for real estate investors and developers to consider Yas Island as an option. The demand for short term apartment and villa rentals will be expected to rise due to the significant number of visitors and families who do not prefer staying at traditional hotels during their holiday. Property prices are expected to rise as soon as the Project opens. Owing to the influx of tourism, this is also an opportunity for commercial real estate investors to invest as the demand for restaurants, hotels, and malls will increase.

The Project is expected to feature ‘groundbreaking technology’ and create ‘immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways’. This may include augmented reality attractions, personalisation, and interactive applications. The UAE is already strengthening its
position as global leader in Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) by developing strategies for innovation, investment, and legislation. The Project contributes to the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 which sets a clear vision to become the world leader in AI by 2031. This strategy aims to assist with the economic growth, government development, and community happiness of the UAE through multiple AI technology implementations in sectors such as energy, tourism, and education. This Project will enhance tourist experiences through the use of AI, whether it is for virtual and entertainment purposes, or customer service and experience, whilst simultaneously aligning with the UAE’s visions. The implementation of AI will also boost innovative and educational sectors in the UAE by supporting the Project’s vision.

While this announcement is a celebrated milestone for the UAE’s entertainment and tourism industries, it is set to generate various job opportunities across multiple sectors including hospitality, transportation, operations, logistics, construction and more. This comes with a complex set of legal obligations that cannot be overlooked. A framework of regulatory health and safety compliance and employment protection is required to ensure and preserve the success and sustainability of this Project.

3. Employment Obligations
Owing to the large scale of this Project, the employment rates in the region are expected to significantly increase. Under the Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 On Regulation of Labour Relations (the “Labour Law”), the legal provisions below play a crucial role in guiding newly hired employees and highlight how the UAE’s legal framework play a vital role in creating job opportunities, work environments safer, and jobs more accessible that come as a result of this Project.

Having strong equality and non-discrimination laws in the UAE will ensure individuals should not be hired based on their race, colour, sex, religion, national origin, social origin, or disability and are hired based on their qualifications, experience, and skills. This ensures that minority groups will have a fair and equal chance to be selected for employment and increases inclusive and diverse workplaces in respect of the Project.

The recruitment process of employees is streamlined and efficient. Employers must bear all costs associated with the appropriate documentation such as obtaining a work permit for the employee prior to commencing work. This lifts any financial obligation from job seekers and makes the recruitment process smooth and efficient. Ensuring that an employee has a work permit prior to the commencement of work encourages proper and legal employment practices and transparency in the UAE.

The UAE law offers different work patterns for parties to agree. Such flexibility increases job opportunities as employees are not restricted to be bound by a traditional full time job and encourages the younger generation to consider part time employment if they are undertaking their university studies, or want extra income. Some patterns involve ‘temporary work’ which is applicable to those whose work nature requires a specific period of time to be executed, or ‘flexible work’ which applies to those whose working hours change according to the variables of work such as volume, economic, and operational factors. Such variety allows job seekers with personal commitments to obtain a job that does not require a full day of work. The UAE also allows remote work, which encourages individuals abroad to work from their residence. This automatically increases job opportunities in the UAE without being physically present and can benefit the Project for those who do not need to work on site.

There are a set of employer obligations stipulated in the Labour Law which promotes job security in the UAE and eliminates any financial burdens on newly hired employees. Firstly, employers must bear the employees medical costs, the expenses of insurances, subscriptions, guarantees, the expenses of returning the employee to their recruitment country or a place agreed by both parties, and provide the employee with either adequate housing or a cash alternative as part of the employee’s remuneration. These employer-covered costs eliminate financial burdens on employees by making job opportunities more accessible and financially viable, especially for foreign job seekers that come from different economic backgrounds.

Employers are expected to invest in the employees by developing their skills through training, qualifications, tools, and programmes. They must provide a safe and appropriate work environment, and provide the necessary means of prevention to protect employees from dangers that may arise from occupational injuries and diseases that occur during work. These obligations prolong the longevity of the employer-employee relationship by demonstrating employee well-being and professional growth.

As per the provisions set out in the UAE Labour Law, the UAE has fostered a legal environment that protects employee rights, promotes job security, and eliminates unnecessary barriers to employment. These safeguards not only enhance job opportunities, but also make the UAE an attractive and accessible destination for job seekers that are interested to work on the Project.

4. Occupational Health and Safety Compliance Concerning Construction Workers
Given the large scale of the Project, it is essential that strict compliance with occupational health and safety standards (“OHS”) are met for construction workers as such projects carry high risks. The lack of safety protocols may lead to project delays, serious injuries, and financial penalties. As stipulated under the Labour Law, it is the employers obligation to provide the necessary means of prevention to protect employees from dangers that arise through occupational injuries and diseases that occur during work. The UAE’s legal framework ensures that employee safety remains front and centre throughout the development of the Project.

In cases where employees become affected by work injuries or occupational diseases, the concerned entities will determine the employer’s obligations and the amount of compensation due to the employee in the event of permanent total or partial disability, and the compensation due to the employee’s family in the event of their death. The employer should bear the expenses of the employee’s treatment until recovery and is able to return to work, or up until the disability is proven. In cases where the employee cannot perform his work due to the suffering caused, the employee shall receive their full salary for the duration of their treatment or for a period of 6 months. If the treatment period exceeds 6 months, half the remuneration shall be paid to the employee for an additional 6 months, or until the employee recovers, proof of disability, or death. In the case of an employee’s death due to a work injury or occupational disease, the family of the deceased shall be entitled to compensation equal to the employee’s basic salary for a period of 24 months. The value of compensation shall not be less than 18 thousand Dirhams and not more than 200 thousand Dirhams. The deceased’s family will receive the end-of-service gratuity, and any other financial entitlements due to the employee.

As the Project can be determined as a high risk especially for construction employees, employers must prioritise workplace safety to avoid any of the above events and the suffering of their employees and families. Having strong laws in place provides legal certainty that employees and their families will be taken care of and compensated in cases where they are injured. This also ensures financial stability for injured workers in cases where medical insurance does not cover certain aspects of their medical treatment, as employees will not bear such costs. The treatment that employers must bear include the hospital stay, surgical procedures, costs of x-rays and medical analyses and, the costs and transportation of medications, rehabilitation equipment, artificial and prosthetic limbs, and devices for those whose disability is proven.

Decision No. 1/2022 On the Implementing Regulation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationships (the “Implementing Regulations”) provides further provisions that companies should abide by to ensure the safety standards are met for employees to work in a safe environment and promote job opportunities, accessibility, and security.

Firstly, to avoid any misunderstandings and promote transparency in the workplace, employers must inform employees prior to their commencement of duty of the risks of their occupation. Thereafter, employers must provide clear and detailed instructions on how to prevent such risks, and how to deal with accidents caused by them. Employees must utilize all necessary measures to ensure that the conditions in the workplace provide adequate health and safety protection for the employees, and apply all appropriate measures to prevent, reduce or eliminate health hazards in the workplace. In order to do so, employers must ensure the appropriate preventative resources are available to protect employees from the risks that may occur during working hours. In the case of the Project, risks may arise from the use of heavy machinery and other work tools. Therefore, employees must provide clear and detailed instructions in Arabic and in another language that the employee understands of the risks they may be exposed to and provide signs that are visibly placed at the location of the machines or the location showcasing the technical instructions. This multilingual approach to safety ensures that all employees regardless of their background, can fully understand the risks they may be exposed to. The UAE ensures that health and safety requirements are highly accessible, which will attract job seekers to join the implementation of the Project.

To reiterate the importance of OHS, it must be noted that these preventive measures go beyond the responsibility and scope of the Project itself. The UAE government is actively involved in ensuring that adequate OHS standards are met. The Ministry and the competent authorities will monitor the employers compliance with providing health insurance for employees, and coordinate with the competent local and federal authorities regarding the health and safety of the employees. The Ministry will constantly verify the standards and requirements developed in the UAE in relation to the health and safety of employees and ensure they comply with the obligations. The Ministry will also conduct inspections and apply appropriate penalties to organizations that violate the mentioned safety instructions. Such compliance ensures that employee safety is a priority. The high levels of protection indicates that the UAE is a secure destination for job seekers which increases the chances of them pursuing and accepting employment opportunities in high risk industries that involve the Project.

Owing to the high temperatures in the UAE, this may be a barrier for job seekers within the construction field. However to further reinforce employee protection and safety, The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, have implemented a mandatory ‘Midday Break’ provided for under Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open air spaces between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM every year from 15 June to 15 September. Companies are required to provide necessary arrangements such as shaded areas, cooling equipment, adequate quantities of water, and hydration supplements. This is part of the UAE’s commitment to provide best international practices that align with OHS services, and provide a safe work environment.

By prioritising OHS at every stage of development, especially in a project as large-scale as Disneyland Abu Dhabi, the UAE not only protects its workforce and reduces risks but also sets a global standard for responsible construction.

5. Conclusion
As Disneyland Abu Dhabi takes shape, it represents far more than a new attraction, it is a powerful step forward in economic growth, innovation, and opportunity for the UAE. With thousands of jobs expected, the Project will generate widespread employment and attract global talent. What makes this growth sustainable is the strong foundation laid by the UAE’s visions and laws which support long-term development. This places the UAE’s position as a global leader in progressive business practices and goals.