Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has announced a fund of Dh150 million to support content creators and influencers.
Sheikh Mohammed also said a permanent headquarters for influencers would be created.
“Today we issued directives to allocate a fund valued at Dh150 million to support content creators and transform the digital media sector,” Sheikh Mohammed said, according to state news agency Wam.
“We also instructed the establishment of a permanent influencers' headquarters that provides year-round support.
“These steps align with our ongoing investment in creative talents who will write new inspiring stories that will add to the UAE’s influential media presence on the global stage.
“Impactful media reflects the past and provides an inspiration for the future.”
His comments came as Dubai hosted the 1 Billion Followers Summit, a gathering of some of the world’s top social media influencers and content creators, on Wednesday.
The two-day summit, taking place at Emirates Towers and Dubai’s Museum of the Future, features at least 3,000 attendees, 100 speakers and more than 300 companies from the technology and social media landscape.
The new headquarters, a collaboration between the UAE Government Media Office and the New Media Academy, aim to bring together top influencers and content creators.
Supporting creators
The Dh150m fund aims to support the development of creative and impactful content, help content creators hone their skills and introduce the UAE story, its achievements and cultural contributions to global markets, Wam reported.
The fund also aims to attract investment in new media.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said: “The fund is dedicated to supporting content creators [and] presents exceptional opportunities for them to fulfil their potential, grow their business and showcase the accomplishments and ambitions of the Emirati people to the world.
“These efforts will solidify the UAE’s position as a global capital for digital content.”
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
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.
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Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
