I have been offered a new job with a medium-sized company but I have some concerns about how they have worded the final offer. I was originally told that the salary would be a total of Dh32,000 a month – about right for the role – but in the contract I was sent it refers to a basic salary of just Dh12,000, with the rest of it made up of various allowances such as for housing and transport. I am not comfortable with this and have questions. Is there anything in Labour Law that states how the total should be split? Is an employer able to reduce the allowances if they want so that my total income could reduce? I believe that the final gratuity is based in the basic salary, but can allowances be included? JM, Abu Dhabi
There is nothing in UAE Labour Law that specifies the split between basic salary and allowances, so it is down to the discretion of the company but it is expected to be reasonable and justifiable. The end of service gratuity is calculated on the final basic salary, so companies should not keep this artificially low to reduce their future liabilities. If they wish, any employer can pay a higher gratuity figure, but that is purely at their discretion. The general expectation is that the salary would not be less than 60 per cent of the total, but if it is less than 50 per cent the employee would have a strong claim for unfair treatment with the Labour Court if they chose to challenge that – but it is far better to agree an appropriate split at outset. An employer is not permitted to make changes to a contract of employment once it has been agreed and signed, nor to the salary or allowances payable, without the agreement of the employee.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 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.
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Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Jetour T1 specs
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
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Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
