Quique Sanchez Flores, the former Al Ahli and Al Ain manager, is favourite to take over newly-promoted English club Watford, according to reports.
Watford, promoted to the Premier League after finishing second in the Championship, have parted ways with Slavisa Jokanovic after failing to agree terms over a new deal.
And according to Sky Sports News, Watford have identified Sanchez Flores as their top target to lead them on their return to the top flight.
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It is also understood that Watford have drawn up a three man shortlist, which includes former Chelsea and Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo and former Brentford manager Mark Warburton, although Sanchez Flores is the preferred choice.
Sanchez Flores, 50, has had spells in charge at Getafe, Valencia, Benfica, and Atletico Madrid, leading the latter to the 2010 Uefa Europa League title.
However, the Spaniard is likely best known to football fans in the UAE for his time in the Arabian Gulf League, spending two seasons at Al Ahli from 2011 before taking over arch rivals Al Ain in 2013.
Sanchez Flores restored Al Ahli as a major force in UAE football, guiding the Dubai club to the 2012 Etisalat Cup and the 2013 President’s Cup.
The Spaniard’s time at Al Ain was less successful, spending six months in the Garden City before parting ways with the club.
Sanchez Flores returned to management in January this year with Primera Liga club Getafe, however less than two months later he stepped down citing personal reasons.
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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.
