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

 

Bait Al Khair Society Children Heave a Sigh of Relief Friday, Oct 26 2007 

Dubai and Ramadan and UAE and human rights and inclusion and life and real estate and special needs eupdate 7:34 am

Bait Al Khair Society – a charitable organization in the UAE - have recently received donations worth 6 million AED from one of the largest real estate developers in the world Nakheel Properties. Bait Al Khair Society works for the welfare of the disadvantaged nationals of the United Arab Emirates. The generous gesture closely follows and is part of the ‘Ramadan Kareem Make a Wish’ charity initiative from the real estate developers.

Nakheel’s Ramadan charity campaign drew in 400,000 AED worth of donations from around the world. The company have pitched in more to make a total contribution of 6 million AED to Bait Al Khair Society as pledged during Ramadan. The occasion saw a boat trip to the Palm Jumeirah for 70 children from the Society courtesy Nakheel.

A word about Bait Al Khair Society

Established in 1989, Bait Al Khair Society raises funds and organizes programs for uplifting the disadvantaged sections of UAE society. Widows, divorcees, low-income nationals, patients, disabled nationals, families of prisoners, nationals with special needs, orphans and students from poor families come into the ambit of the organization. In order to carry out its charitable initiatives, Bait Al Khair Society works in collaboration with public welfare institutions in the Emirates.

 

Charity Endeavours for Free Iftar Meals during Ramadan Saturday, Sep 15 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Ramadan and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and life and special needs and updates eupdate 7:33 am

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society (ADCOOPS) is offering 1000 meal packets for the poor every day all through the month of Ramadan. These meals will be distributed at selected mosques across the city and will consist of fruits, dates, a main course, a dessert and water. In addition, ACOOPS will also be host free Iftar buffets at Abu Dhabi Mall and Mina Mall, starting from the sixth day of Ramadan.  

Dubai 

Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (DIACA) will offer free Iftar meals everyday to new Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.  

Ras Al Khaimah 

All across Ras Al Khaimah, a number of charitable organizations have come up with programmes aimed at providing free Iftar meals to the poor and the needy. More than 25 Ramadan tents have been put up in different areas. Places like Al Filayah, Al Jeer, Khuzam, Al Rams, Nakheel and Jazera AL Hamra have already been dotted with these tents, in particular around mosque areas.  The Red Crescent Authority will organize free Iftar meals through Ramadan tents put up at various locations. Al Rahma Charity will be giving away Ramadan foodstuff to more than 3,800 families all over the emirate.  

Some charitable organizations undertaking the Ramadan free Iftar meal programme: Red Crescent Authority, Dar Al Bir Society, Beit Al Khair Association, Al Rahma Charity

 

Do Ramadan Charity at Wafi and Light your own Fanoos Thursday, Sep 13 2007 

Dubai and Ramadan and UAE and human rights and inclusion and life eupdate 9:19 am

One of the traditional symbols of Ramadan is the Fanoos or lantern. This Ramadan, anyone making even a nominal donation to the UAE Red Crescent Authority at the Wafi Mall will get the chance to light their own fanoos. Moreover, an oasis pool has been set up in the Mall where people can set their fanoos adrift. The money will go to the proceedings of an orphanage project in Dubai.

The practice of lighting the pool with fanoos in a peaceful aura will continue throughout the month of Ramadan. In addition to the fanoos campaign, there will also be a range of merchandise available during Ramadan. Stunning images of camels and falcons by renowned animal photographer Tim Flach will be up for sale, with all profits going to charity.

Ramadan is a special occasion for more than one billion people worldwide. This year with Ramadan fanoos awareness campaign in place, Wafi’s main motto is to inspire you for offering a ‘light of hope’ to charity. The occasion indeed symbolizes the true spirit of Ramadan.

 

Changed Government Office Timings during Ramadan Wednesday, Sep 12 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Ramadan and UAE and sharjah and updates eupdate 12:11 pm

The UAE Government has officially announced the working hours of government offices across the country during the holy month of Ramadan. According to the circular issued by the Ministry of Governmental Sector Development, the work timings in federal government departments and the offices of the ministries will be from 9am to 2pm.

However, Abu Dhabi government departments will have their working hours between 10am and 4pm.

 

Abu Dhabi shops ready for Ramadan Monday, Sep 10 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Ramadan and life and updates eupdate 10:21 am

With Ramadan beginning this weekend, shops in Abu Dhabi have geared themselves up for the festivities. The markets in the capital city are stocked up to provide food items to people of all nationalities. In fact, some supermarkets have already come up with discounts and offers for the Ramadan period. As part of the Ramadan promotions, one supermarket has gone ahead with an Umrah raffle draw for 50 winners. 

With people stocking foodstuff in abundance for the holy month of Ramadan, sales at supermarkets have shot up by 20 percent. Many supermarkets have even extended the list of products on offer. Moreover, festive season requirements like prayer timetables, calendars and Ramadan planners are being distributed among the populace. The supermarkets and shops have also stocked themselves with items that cater to customers belonging to different nationalities.

The shops and supermarkets in Abu Dhabi have hundreds of Ramadan-focussed commodities available at competitive prices. In addition, the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society has also made arrangements for 1,000 Iftar meals that will be sent to mosques everyday. There will be arrangements for Iftar at its Abu Dhabi Mall and Mina Beach Mall.  

Stalls are sprawling all over the city, with signs displaying the Ramadan dates imported from Makkah and Madinah. 

Holy Month of Ramadan: September 13, 2007 to October 12, 2007