In May this year I was involved in an accident out of the UAE while travelling on a work-related matter. I was in hospital for two weeks and had to undergo surgery. I am now recovering in the UK and will return to Dubai to continue my recovery in a few weeks, although it will be a few months before I recover. I have two queries. The first relates to sick pay. How does Article 146 of the UAE Labour Law relate to this as my wages vary from month to month, should my sick pay therefore be based on my last salary? Although I was travelling to a work conference, the accident did not take place in the UAE and therefore I don't think this is classed as a "work related injury", should my sick pay still be based on my last salary? My second query relates to the fact that my company had not taken adequate insurance cover. I will have financial difficulties when my sick pay ends because I am not covered by my company's insurance due to the limitations of the cover taken. Despite the fact that, as employees, we travel to visit all of our clients and therefore are out of the office most of the time, and we also travel abroad on business several times a year, our workers' compensation plan only covers us in the office. Is this something I could take up with the ministry? ND, Dubai
I am sorry to read of your accident and wish you a speedy recovery. Article 146 of UAE Labour Law relates to “labour accidents” which are accidents in the workplace and Article 145 states: “If the injury prevents the employee from carrying out his duties, the employer must pay him a financial subsidy equal to full pay throughout the period of treatment or for a period of six months, whichever is shorter.” As an averaged salary is used to calculate an end of service gratuity where commission formed a regular part of an employee’s income, I would expect this to be the case here too. While this was not strictly a “work-related injury”, Mr D was travelling on company business and thus it is not unreasonable to expect an employer to consider this a work-related issue and deal with it as such. While you might expect an employer to provide decent medical insurance for an employee that travels on business, it is not yet a legal requirement in Dubai, although the law is changing and mandatory medical cover must be provided by employers in stages over the next couple of years. In this case, if the employer is not paying an appropriate financial subsidy, I would suggest taking advice from a lawyer who specialises in employment issues as there may be a case for compensation.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 year’s experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate independent legal advice
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
