Covid-19 demanded a huge amount from workers throughout the world, particularly of those in the healthcare sector, many of whom faced grave danger. Huge changes were introduced to office life. Almost instantly the physical workplace was replaced with hybrid working, the daily commute with staying home. For many, the very certainty of employment disappeared. Globally, 114 million people lost their jobs.
The UAE is fortunate to be on the road to recovery from these tough times, due to clear leadership and a rebounding economy. And this week, residents saw yet more optimistic signs. According to the Cooper Fitch UAE Salary Guide 2022, which polled more than 600 companies, 35 per cent of businesses plan to increase salaries up to 5 per cent, while 4 per cent of companies will offer employees a raise between 6 to 9 per cent. A further 5 per cent of companies in the UAE will boost wages by 10 per cent or more. This means that roughly 43 per cent of businesses plan wage increases at an average rate of 3 per cent.
In tandem, the number of people predicted to have their salaries frozen next year has dropped significantly. According to a November study by Mercer, only 5 per cent of UAE companies are expected to freeze salaries in 2022, a number far lower than at the beginning of the pandemic.
It is too early to say that wage stability is out of the woods, but positive data on best and worst-case scenarios point to the emergence of a solid recovery. This is down to certainty brought about by a strong pandemic response, the huge commercial benefits of Expo 2020 Dubai and other in-person international events, the resurgence of aviation and the government's wider interest in the workforce and employment issues.
Last month, the government unveiled the biggest tranche of legal reforms in the country's history. Copyright laws were bolstered and investors and entrepreneurs were permitted to establish and own onshore companies in almost all sectors. This was a drop in the ocean of measures to make the country's working environment more dynamic. This week, a separate law will largely eliminate workplace differences between the public and private sector. This comes as part of a wider drive to get more Emiratis in the private sector. It seems to be working. More than 2,000 have done so within three months of the government making it a priority.
Further afield, the best global talent is being encouraged to make the UAE its home with this year's Golden Visa scheme, which grants recipients flexible residency for up to 10 years. People from around the world with experience in a set list of fields, particularly future-focused ones such as AI and programming, can apply.
A strong recovery is the basis for 2022's expected salary rises. But the two are intertwined. As the economy starts to offer workers more, the financial activity key to sustained recovery should gather pace. Going into 2022 and beyond, the ever-diversifying UAE workforce is set to become more resilient, secure and quite possibly better ofs financially.
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
Roger Federer's 2018 record
Australian Open Champion
Rotterdam Champion
Indian Wells Runner-up
Miami Second round
Stuttgart Champion
Halle Runner-up
Wimbledon Quarter-finals
Cincinnati Runner-up
US Open Fourth round
Shanghai Semi-finals
Basel Champion
Paris Masters Semi-finals
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Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1Â
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Score
Third Test, Day 1
New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.Â
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission:Â Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017Â Â
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and LebanonÂ
Sector: Â Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series AÂ
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician FundsÂ
Maestro
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam DriverÂ
Five stars
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Â
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Â
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
Â
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
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Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
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West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
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Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Fringe@Four Line-up
October 1 - Phil Nichol (stand-up comedy)
October 29 - Mandy Knight (stand-up comedy)
November 5 - Sinatra Raw (Fringe theatre)
November 8 - Imah Dumagay & Sundeep Fernandes (stand-up comedy)
November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)
November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)
November 29 - Peter Searles (comedy / theatre)
December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
