New laws have shaken up the private sector work landscape in the UAE.
The amended labour regulations, which were first outlined by the government in November 2021 and came into effect on Feburary 2, 2022 provide options that were not available before and strengthen employees' rights.
One of the major changes under the new rules is that people will be able to live in the country for up to six months after leaving a job.
Shorter, fixed-term contracts will also be introduced for most private-sector employees and some residents will now have the option to condense their working week as long as the contracted hours are met.
This may spur some individuals to make the jump and look for a role that is better for them
Emily Roberts,
Genie recruitment
Louise Vine, managing director at Inspire Selection recruitment agency in Dubai, said she is encouraged by the new law.
“When someone loses their job, they have six months to find a new one instead of only 30 days, so it offers more stability for their family,” she said.
“Also, when someone wants to quit because they really do not like their job, they now have six months to find another, so feel less pressured into accepting a job they do not want.
“It also gives them time to find a job that they're really happy with, at the right level and the right salary and so on.”
In her years as a recruiter, Ms Vine said she has come across people who have “accepted jobs out of desperation”, only to have a visa, which buys them time to find their ideal job.
She said this short-term employment is financially detrimental to the employer and creates an unstable work environment.
“Despite the law change, we don't see the great resignation phenomenon which has been reported in the US happening here,” said Ms Vine.
“The UAE is very different from the US and while this new law does allow people to walk away from their jobs more easily, the majority of people we come across are looking for work and are very keen to continue earning. Not many are in a position to spend six months with no pay due to the high cost of living.”
Emily Roberts, a consultant at Genie, a recruitment agency in Dubai, said the move will have a positive effect on workplace well-being and environments, as many job seekers can now spend time searching for the right opportunity.
“I believe this may spur some individuals to make the jump and look for a role that is better for them,” she said.
“As a recruiter, I do come across a lot of candidates who are deeply unhappy in their roles, which can be due to a number of reasons [such as] poor management or no work-life balance.”
A lot of people could not take the leap of resigning in the past, without another role confirmed, mainly because of the visa restrictions they would face, she said.
“The 180-day security will support those individuals who are itching to make a move and allow time to find a new position that suits them rather than perhaps rushing a process to accept something quickly,” said Ms Roberts.
“This will also give the opportunity for good talent to stay within the region as there's longer to secure something adequate.”
With an influx of expatriates looking to move to the region, she said the law changes will lead to “better retention rates for employers”, as they can be assured that the individual has had the time to consider all of their options before taking the best role for them.
Emirati lawyer Awatif Mohammed said the new law enhances the rights of both employers and employees.
“Employees will not fear losing jobs on the spot with the mandatory 14-day notice period during probation that employers must abide to,” he said.
“The market will further attract talents and skills from across the world, especially after allowing different styles of work, a move that came in response to the challenges forced by Covid-19 but proved necessary to the progress the country is witnessing.”
How job sharing works
Under the condensed hours options, if an employee is expected to work 40 hours a week under their contract, they can now work those hours over three days, said Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Other flexible working options include shared jobs, when two people work in a single role and split the hours after agreeing to the arrangement with their employer.
David McKenzie, group managing director of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones, said the shared job option would be beneficial for those looking to get back to work after time off.
“If you think about people doing job shares, they will most likely be working mothers looking to get back to part-time work,” he said.
“As they will already be supported by a spousal visa, all they would need is a labour card.
“By introducing this working structure as an option, what you’re doing is empowering people in the workplace who didn’t have many options before.”
With input from Salam Al Amir
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57%20Seconds
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Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
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Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
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Six large-scale objects on show
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2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL
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Dubai Bling season three
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The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
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- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
PROFILE BOX:
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence
Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
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Torque: 230Nm
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
MATCH INFO
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Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')
