UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has urged his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif to release jailed British dual nationals in their first conversation since the US elections.
Britons including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, an aid worker, and Anoosheh Ashoori, a retired engineer, are being held in Iran on what their supporters say are trumped-up charges.
Relatives have spoken of their hopes that a potential thaw in relations between the US and Iran under President-elect, Joe Biden, could improve their chances of release.
Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe is currently staying at the home of her parents in Iran after being released from Tehran’s Evin jail on an electronic tag during the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the country.
The Foreign Office said that Mr Raab spoke to Mr Zarif on Monday and “urged that dual British nationals detained in Iran be immediately and permanently released”.
Iranian media said the two foreign ministers also spoke of co-operation between the two countries over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal, championed by Barack Obama, and embarked on a campaign of maximum pressure on the Iranian regime.
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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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