I have been with my employer for three years and they have now advised us that they plan to introduce a pension-type scheme for all employees in place of the usual end-of-service gratuity. Apparently, they pay into an investment of some type and we can also contribute if we want to.
This looks to be compulsory, but I don't want to join as it seems to be a better plan for employees who stay with the company for many years. However, it is my intention to leave by the end of next year and return to South Africa. My employer doesn't know that and I don't want them to. Do I have to join this scheme rather than continue as things are at the moment? BS, Dubai
There are a number of large mainland employers who have an alternative to the standard gratuity scheme. The Dubai International Financial Centre, which has its own legislation, has recently moved to a similar arrangement. I believe we can expect to see more of this in the future across the UAE and rules are in place to ensure that employees are not disadvantaged.
This issue is covered in the UAE Labour Law and Article 140 states: “Should the establishment have a saving fund for the workers, and the rules of the fund stipulate that the sums deposited into the fund on behalf of the worker are in return for the legal obligation with regards to the end-of-service gratuity, the saved amount or the duly due gratuity shall be paid to the worker, whichever is greater. Should the rules of the fund not stipulate that the amounts paid by the employer are in return for his legal obligation with regards to the end-of-service gratuity, the worker shall receive the amounts due to him from the saving fund in addition to the statutory end-of-service gratuity.”
This makes it clear that no employee should be any worse off if there is a retirement scheme in place. In some cases, such schemes are an alternative and there is a choice, but this must be made clear by an employer.
The employee is further covered under Article 141 of the UAE Labour Law, which clarifies: “Should the establishment have a retirement system, an insurance or any similar scheme, the worker entitled to a pension may choose between such pension, the prescribed gratuity or the money entitled thereto from the retirement system or under the insurance scheme, whichever is better.”
Such arrangements can have advantages for employees. If a savings scheme is set up with an external company, the money invested should be protected and held on behalf of the individual. The employee is then not dependent on the employer having the money to pay out a gratuity when it is due and this should avoid any delays in payment. In this situation, even if BS is required to join such a scheme, he is protected from losing out under the UAE law.
Government employees are expected to live in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and there can be a clause in other contracts of employment to that effect
I have just moved to the UAE. I have a work visa with a company based in Abu Dhabi but would like to live in Dubai and commute to Abu Dhabi every day. A friend told me that if I do this, I won't be able to sponsor my wife as I need to have a tenancy contract in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Is this true? MH, Abu Dhabi
There was a change in legislation in 2017, which stated that an individual needs to have a tenancy agreement in Abu Dhabi, or a local lease known as Tawtheeq, in order to sponsor family members. This has not been revoked but there can be some leeway for employees of free zone companies, especially if the company is headquartered in another emirate.
Applications that do not fit standard criteria are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi. There is no guarantee that any application will be approved.
In addition, MH will need to ensure that the employer will permit him to live in a different emirate. Government employees are expected to live in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and there can be a clause in other contracts of employment to that effect.
There are also additional considerations such as the cost of commuting and, particularly, the current Covid-19 restrictions in crossing the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This makes daily travel complicated right now, as not only are regular tests required, there are also delays in entry and exit. That alone is likely to put many people put off doing the journey on a regular basis if they don’t need to.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 25 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
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The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Marseille 0
Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')
MATCH INFO
New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)
England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Continental champions
Best Asian Player: Massaki Todokoro (Japan)
Best European Player: Adam Wardzinski (Poland)
Best North & Central American Player: DJ Jackson (United States)
Best African Player: Walter Dos Santos (Angola)
Best Oceanian Player: Lee Ting (Australia)
Best South American Player: Gabriel De Sousa (Brazil)
Best Asian Federation: Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams