Sheikh Mansour leads the first meeting of the 50-year planning committee. It is one of two committees tasked with guiding the UAE's future over the next 50 years. Courtesy: Wam
Sheikh Mansour leads the first meeting of the 50-year planning committee. It is one of two committees tasked with guiding the UAE's future over the next 50 years. Courtesy: Wam
Sheikh Mansour leads the first meeting of the 50-year planning committee. It is one of two committees tasked with guiding the UAE's future over the next 50 years. Courtesy: Wam
Sheikh Mansour leads the first meeting of the 50-year planning committee. It is one of two committees tasked with guiding the UAE's future over the next 50 years. Courtesy: Wam

Next 50 years in UAE’s history will be worth watching


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I write in reference to the article UAE seeks 'new, dynamic' governance model over next 50 years (February 23): it is always inspiring to read about government officials drawing up long-term plans for a country's development, whichever that country may be. Anticipating how life might pan out on a day-to-day basis can be challenging, particularly in these times of tumult, but the fact that the UAE is looking 50 years ahead is a testament to the imaginative ability of its leadership and its self-confidence. It won't be a top-down approach, as the government expects to collaborate with key sectors of the national economy, but it will be intriguing to see what the "integrated system" it seeks to create will look like. Rest assured that, just as successful the past 50 years were in UAE history, the next 50 will be exciting and well worth watching.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

For vaccinations, India should take the help of its private sector

I write in reference to the article Is India beating Covid-19? Experts are divided as data shows mysterious recovery (February 15): vaccinating more than a billion people scattered across thousands of cities and towns and a few hundred thousand villages was always going to be a challenging task. The government machinery simply cannot carry out this operation on its own. It should enroll the private sector to help. Large corporations such as Tata Group and Hindustan Unilever have their own clinics with doctors and medical staff employed in their offices and factories across the country. For starters, these companies should be given adequate vaccines for their doctors to inoculate their staff. In a large country such as India, organising vaccinations in offices and factories should be the norm – not the exception.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Turtle rescuers are the angels among us

I write in reference to Leila Gharagozlou's article Stunned sea turtles return to the water in Texas (February 23): members of the US Coast Guard and groups such as Sea Turtle Inc, who have been involved in the rescue and release of thousands of turtles off the coast of Texas, are truly the angels among us. For, they are the ones who care enough to make a difference.

Michael Frisbie, Aliso Viejo, California

People should quarantine even if they test negative

I write in reference to Gillian Duncan's article Close contacts of Covid-19 cases spreading the virus by failing to quarantine, says DHA (February 23): they should quarantine for the full 10 days even if they test negative early on after the last contact.

Andrew Riad

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.