A few must-know labour laws for employees in the UAE Wednesday, Jan 9 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid Al Adha and Eid ul Adha and Eid ul Fitr and Fujairah and National Day and New Year 2008 and Ramadan and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and expatriates and human rights and sharjah and updates eupdate 6:07 am

With the United Arab Emirates having the status of a popular choice for exploring job opportunities, especially in the Third World countries, there are some labour laws that existing and prospective employees in the country should know. Here’s an overview:

• Federal Labour Law, Article 74 and Article 81: There are some official holidays every employee is entitled to (with full wage). These are:

o One holiday on New Year Day as per the Gregorian calendar
o One holiday on New Year Day as per the Islamic calendar
o Two holidays on Eid Al Fitr
o Three holidays on Eid Al Adha and Arafat Day
o One holiday on the National Day
o One holiday on the Israawal Meraj
o One holiday on Prophet Mohammed’s birthday

If work circumstances compel an employee to work full time or part time on an official holiday, s/he must be compensated with a leave and a compensatory extra 50 percent of the full wage. In the event of non-compliance with this rule, the employee will be paid 150 percent of the basic wage for the work days.

• Federal Labour Law, Article 83: During the probation period, an employee is not entitled to a paid sick leave. After the end of the probation period, if an employee falls ill on completion of more than three months in continuous service, s/he is entitled to continuous or interrupted 90 days’ leave per year.

The salary for the paid sick leave will be calculated on the following basis:

o First 15 days: full wage
o Next 30 days: half wage
o Following period: no pay

 

UAE all set for Eid Al Adha Wednesday, Dec 19 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid Al Adha and Eid ul Adha and Hajj and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and sharjah and updates eupdate 6:01 am

UAE is all set for relishing Eid Al Adha holidays! Rescue teams and ambulances are all in place to cater to any emergency that may come up during the holidays, the most common being fractures and food poisoning. The rescue teams are well trained to look after such cases until the casualty can be shifted to the hospital.

Rescue vehicles and ambulances are fully fitted with all required medical equipment. The traffic departments of various emirates have also braced themselves up to curb any cases of rash driving.

Etisalat’s offer for Eid Al Adha

From 9 pm on December 17, 2007 (Monday) to 7 am on December 22, 2007 (Saturday), Etisalat is offering off-peak rates for all international calls made from its mobiles and landline phones.

Etisalat has also made its wi-fi hotspots available for free to all between December 19, 2007 and December 22, 2007. At more than 250 hotspots scattered across the UAE, locals and tourists alike can use the wireless broadband internet with a proper mobile or laptop for free!

Etisalat has also slashed its normal call rate of 2.12 AED to 0.99 AED for all calls from UAE to Saudi Arabia.

 

Eid Al Adha 2007 Holidays in UAE Wednesday, Dec 12 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid Al Adha and Eid ul Adha and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 7:13 am

The UAE government has announced Eid Al Adha holidays for 2007. Following is an overview of the public and private sectors in this regard.

Public Sector Holidays

Public sector employees in the UAE will get 5-day holiday beginning December 18, 2007 (Tuesday). Public sector office will re-open on December 23, 2007 (Sunday).

Private Sector Holidays

Private sector employees in the UAE will have 3-day holiday from December 18, 2007 (Tuesday) to December 20, 2007 (Thursday).

Bank Holidays

While it still needs to be confirmed but there are speculations about banks going for a 4-day holiday beginning December 18, 2007 (Tuesday). ATM services, however, will be functional during the Eid break.

 

Hajj 2007: Reduced Call Rates from UAE to Saudi Arabia Wednesday, Dec 12 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid Al Adha and Eid ul Adha and Hajj and UAE and updates eupdate 6:49 am

Calls from UAE to Saudi Arabia from Etisalat mobile phones will cost less during Haj. In addition, visitors to Saudi Arabia from the UAE will also be able to avail of lower roaming charges for Etisalat mobiles. All Etisalat users can benefit from this offer. However, customers who have already subscribed to some other scheme are excluded from the Hajj offer.

The slashed rates are on from December 9 to December 22, 2007.

 

Eid Al Adha (Bakrid) begins on December 19, 2007 Tuesday, Dec 11 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid Al Adha and Eid ul Adha and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and sharjah and updates eupdate 10:47 am

Eid Al Adha (Bakrid) begins on Wednesday, December 19 marking the end of the holy pilgrimage of Haj 2007. The announcement has been made by the Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia.

Holidays for public and private sectors are still to be announced.

 

Eid ul Adha/ Bakrid 2007 Monday, Nov 19 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Bakrid and Dubai and Eid and Eid ul Adha and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and sharjah and updates eupdate 11:55 am

The festival is also widely known as “Bakra Eid” or “Bakrid”, as goat is sacrificed to mark the day. Eid ul Adha is a four-day long festival.

Eid ul Adha date is yet to be officially announced in the United Arab Emirates. However, the tentative date is December 20 (Thursday), 2007.

Why is Eid ul Adha celebrated?

Eid ul Adha marks the event of Ibrahim’s decision to sacrifice his son Ismael for God. Eid ul Adha falls about 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan ends. This is also the day after Muslims on the holy pilgrimage of Hajj descend from Mount Arafat.

There is a short prayer at the beginning of the festival after which a sermon is held for everybody.

UAE residents are gearing up for the Feast of the Sacrifice i.e. Eid ul Adha.