For all the talk of a boycott, the passing of the latest version of Egypt's constitution with an even greater turnout by voters than the previous, Islamist-leaning version, unerringly confers legitimacy on the direction the country is taking. The most telling statistic is that 38.6 per cent of eligible voters took part, compared to 33 per cent in the previous constitutional referendum in December 2012.
Given the vow by groups aligned to deposed president Mohammed Morsi not to take part, the approval of the constitution was never in doubt, although few would have predicted the vote would be as emphatic as 98.1 per cent. International observers who monitored the voting declared it to be mostly free and fair, with the irregularities restricted to campaigning outside the voting stations but not fraud or vote rigging.
It would, however, be oversimplifying matters to see this poll as a direct endorsement of the military's decision to depose Mr Morsi a quarter of the way through his four-year term. This is as much a vote in favour of stability and certainty after three difficult and tempestuous years since the 17-day uprising that led to the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak.
In this process, Egypt’s voters have learnt a lesson that their counterparts in more mature democracies already know: voting is just the first step on the path towards making their situations better and is not a panacea. Voting in a new constitution or even electing a government will not suddenly turn the creaking economy of Egypt into a new Dubai.
This dramatic lowering of expectations is no bad thing, even if it is a painful realignment compared to the heady and optimistic days immediately after people power led to the departure of Mr Mubarak. Egypt faces significant economic problems to do with productivity, corruption and inefficiency that are not magically solved by overturning a dictator, even if it does end the particular cycle of patronage that surrounded Mr Mubarak, his wider family and their cronies.
The work to deal with those problems will begin in earnest when a new president and a new parliament are elected. As Egyptians have already learnt over the past three years, the process will often be slow, messy and frustrating – but this is the only way in which a new Egypt can emerge and the sacrifices of all those who fought against dictatorship will be repaid by creating a land of genuine opportunity.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition
Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000