ABU DHABI // As part of the Year of Reading initiative, the National Media Council has presented 22,000 books to the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.
Mansour Al Mansouri, acting director of the NMC, said the Year of Reading, which was launched after a directive by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa, was an integral strategy to promote reading as a useful way of life.
“The move to present 22,000 titles to the ministry also comes within the framework of the strategic partnership, linking the NMC with many authorities concerned with the Year of Reading,” he said.
Afra Al Saberi, undersecretary at the ministry, said the initiative was part of a coordinated effort to make reading a social habit and to promote knowledge, reported state news agency Wam.
Mr Al Sabri thanked the NMC for the books, which covered different cultural topics and highlighted the national identity.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
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Your love is ruling over my heart
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The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
