New 200 AED Note to be Issued Today Tuesday, May 27 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 11:13 am

The modified 200 AED note, complete with new security features, will be issued in the UAE on May 27, 2008. The announcement has come recently from the Central Bank. Initially, the bank had issued the 200 AED note in the year 1989 but the notes were not printed afterwards.

The new note has quality technical specifications and latest security marks and features. The design and specifications of the note remain the same as that of the present note but additional security features have been incorporated, which in turn are visible only under ultraviolet light.

The colour of the note has been modified so that in stead of brown, it is now orange. In addition to other features, an optically variable stripe has been added at the right side of the front of the note. The stripe shows the national emblem of the UAE along with value numerals.

 

Screening for Thalassaemia to be Conducted Earlier Friday, May 2 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and health and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 11:43 am

Haematologists in the UAE have come up with a decision to screen people for thalassaemia quite early in life in a bid to prevent marriages among carriers of the disease. The move is being planned in wake of the fact that pre-marital screening of the disorder hasn’t proved helpful in preventing the birth of new patients.

Present Scenario in the UAE

At present, more than 6 percent of UAE nationals suffer from the disorder though there is compulsory pre-marital screening for blood-related disorders. As per the latest move, screening is to be done at the school-going stage itself so that individuals and families are spared the pain of cancelled weddings (which in turn is avoided in order to prevent heartache caused by the breaking of emotional ties already established).

Pre-marital thalassaemia screening came into place in the UAE two years back. Even then, there hasn’t been a drop in the number of new babies born with the disorder.

Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder in which there is a breakdown of red blood cells. Patients require regular blood transfusions in order to survive. Couples who are carriers of thalassaemia have a 25 percent chance of producing a thalassaemia-major baby.

 

Camel Festival Debut in the Emirates Thursday, Mar 27 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and camel festival and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 6:30 am

UAE will soon have its share of the ship of the desert in the days to come. The first ever Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival is being held at the Western Region in April. This is in continuation with the age old importance camels have been holding in Arab culture. A highlight of the event is the Camel Beauty Contest that will be organized from April 2 to April 10, 2008 at the Zayed City.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is organizing the camel festival which in turn is being sponsored by General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The event is a part of efforts aimed at furthering local folklore and culture. Organizers hope that the event will become UAE’s annual date with some of the best camels in the world. 

Some eligibility criteria for the participating camels:

• The participating camels have to be pure-bred.
• The participating camels must not have any contagious diseases.
• The participating camels have to have proven ownership.

The camels will be divided as per age groups. An individual can participate with more than one camel as long as the ownership has valid proof.

Around 2,000 competitors have already registered themselves for the event. The number is expected to rise. Winners will get cash prizes worth 35 million AED along with 100 cars being given away as well.

 

Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday (PBUH) to be celebrated on March 20, 2008 Thursday, Mar 20 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and Fujairah and PBUH and Prophet Mohammed's birthday and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 5:41 am

There will be an official holiday for the public and private sectors in the UAE on Thursday, March 20, 2008. This is to mark Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.

On the occasion, postal services will be available only during set timings at the main post offices only. The post offices that will operate are given below. These will stay open between 9 am to 1 pm:

@ Abu Dhabi:

• Abu Dhabi Central Post Office
• Al Butain
• Hamdan
• Musafah
• Beni Yas
• Nadi Al Seyahi
• Al Ain Main Post Office

@ Dubai

• Dubai Central Post Office
• Al Khor
• Jumeirah
• Satwa
• Rashidiya
• Hor Al Anz
• Deira Main Post Office
• Jebel Ali

NOTE: Post offices in Dubai that are located in shopping malls will remain open between 5 pm to 9 pm.

@ Sharjah

• Sharjah Central Post Office
• Al Corniche
• Al Ghuwair
• Khorfakkan
• Kalba
• Al Dhaid
• Muwaileh

@ Ajman

• Ajman Central Post Office

@ Umm Al Quwain

• Umm Al Quwain Central Post Office
• Sanaiyah
• Al Souq

@ Ras Al Khaimah

• Ras Al Khaimah Central Post Office
• Al Nakheel
• Al Uraibi

@ Fujairah

• Fujairah Central Post Office
• Dibba Al Fujairah

All other branches of the Emirates Post will remain closed. The collection of mail from post boxes will remain functional as usual.

At the given post offices, the collection and delivery of mail will continue as well.

 

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

 

Holiday to mark New Hijri 1429 Monday, Jan 7 2008 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and Fujairah and New Year 2008 and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 9:23 am

Work in public sector offices across the UAE will remain off on January 10, 2008 (Thursday) in order to mark New Hijri 1429. Federal ministries, institutions, departments along with the financial markets come under the same. The holiday has been declared by the Ministry of Governmental Sector Development.

The New Hijri is the beginning of the New Year as per the Islamic calendar.

 

UAE to welcome the New Year (2008) with a Holiday! Wednesday, Dec 26 2007 

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Dubai and Fujairah and New Year 2008 and Ras Al Khaimah and UAE and Umm Al Qwain and life and sharjah and updates eupdate 7:32 am

Come January 1, 2008 and UAE is all set for a holiday! Yes, the emirates will welcome the New Year with an official holiday in public and private sectors alike.

Offices will reopen on the 2nd of January, 2008 (Wednesday).