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

 

Eid ul-Fitr beginning on Friday Friday, Oct 12 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Eid and Eid ul Fitr and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and life and sharjah eupdate 11:55 am


According to the moon-sighting committee based in Abu Dhabi, the first day of Eid ul-Fitr in the UAE will be Friday, October 12, 2007. The date has been arrived at through careful calculations, measurements, and discussion with committees from the neighbouring countries.

Eid Mubarak!!!

 

Clear Sky Predicted for Eid ul-Fitr Friday, Oct 12 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Eid and Eid ul Fitr and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and life and sharjah eupdate 11:45 am

According to Abu Dhabi meteorological department and the Met office at Dubai International Airport, clear sky and sunny weather has been predicted during Eid holidays in the UAE. Weather experts have ruled out the possibility of rain, dust storm or high humidity in the coming days. The average maximum and minimum temperature in the UAE would be 36 degree Celsius and 25 degree Celsius respectively. There will be no strong winds either.

With prevailing pleasant weather, beachgoers can hope to enjoy their holidays to the hilt. People who want to go for mountaineering in Al Ain and Fujairah can also look forward to comfortable weather conditions.

 

Free Zakat Al Fitr by RCA Wednesday, Oct 10 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Eid and Eid ul Fitr and UAE and life and updates eupdate 9:54 am

As is the practice every year, the UAE Red Crescent Authority is distributing Zakat Al Fitr to thousands of poor and needy families across the country. 

What is Zakat Al Fitr?

Zakat Al Fitr is a compulsory charity every capable Muslim has to perform if s/he has spare resources after spending on things needed on Eid. According to custom, the Zakat Al Fitr is offered before the beginning of Eid prayers. It is believed that Zakat Al Fitr dates back to the second year of Hijrah – the Islamic calendar that in turn began in 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad had to leave Mecca for Medina in order to escape persecution.

The purpose of Zakat Al Fitr is to alleviate the misery of the needy. However, views differ when it comes to the kind of food to be offered as Zakat Al Fitr. Some believe that raisins, dates, barley, wheat and dry cottage cheese are to be distributed, while others feel any food grain or dates are fine as well. Still there are others who believe that any food staple to a particular region can be given away. Some even distribute money in lieu of food. 

 

Khalifa Park – Abu Dhabi’s gift to the world on Eid Wednesday, Oct 10 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Eid and Eid ul Fitr and UAE and life eupdate 8:56 am

On the first day of Eid ul-Fitr, the much-awaited Khalifa Park will be unveiled to the world. This is going to be a beautiful gift to UAE and the world at large by Abu Dhabi Municipality. Sprawling over a staggering one million square metres, Khalifa Park is the first of its kind leisure complex in the region.

With unprecedented architecture and landscaping, Khalifa Park will offer great entertainment, recreational and enlightenment facilities. Some of the highlights of the Park are:

o Museum
o Theme parks
o Amphitheatre
o Monorail tunnel ride
o Beautiful sculptures and fountains
o Sports area
o Restaurants

The museum has traced the development of UAE since prehistoric times. Click here for word-tour around Khalifa Park. Click here for a photo-tour.

A number of festive events have been planned for Eid holidays in the Park.

 

Eid ul-Fitr Holidays in UAE 2007 Tuesday, Oct 9 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Eid and Eid ul Fitr and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 10:24 am

Public Sector

The UAE government has announced 4-day Eid ul-Fitr holiday for public sector employees but only in the eventuality of the first day of Eid falling on Friday, October 12, 2007 gets confirmed. In other words, work in public sector offices will resume on Monday, October 15, 2007 if Eid falls on Friday, October 12.

On the other hand, if Eid falls on Saturday, October 13, there will be a 5-day holiday with offices re-opening on Tuesday, October 16, 2007.

Private Sector

UAE private sector employees will get 2-day Eid ul-Fitr holiday. The first and second days of the Shawal month will be off.