Abu Dhabi's financial free zone ADGM will start allowing companies operating in the financial zone to hire remote employees, enabling them to tap the global talent pool.
The move, effective from April 1, comes as ADGM amends its employment regulations, encouraging flexible working, in line with the evolving global workplace trends.
The regulations will provide greater clarity to employers and employees with respect to their rights and obligations, ADGM said on Thursday.
“These new regulations come as we continue to expand, grow and promote innovation in work systems. They will provide the necessary information to the business community while ensuring the protection and stability required for all parties,” said Hamad Al Mazrouei, chief executive of ADGM Registration Authority.
The new Employment Regulations 2024 will repeal the existing Employment Regulations of 2019, according to ADGM.
Remote work will be allowed when the employer and employee have mutually agreed that the employee can work remotely. This can be as a remote employee or as part of a hybrid working arrangement, where the employee works at the employer's premises regularly, as well as other locations approved by the employer, ADGM said.
In such instances, “the employer shall provide the employee with and maintain the technical equipment which is necessary for the employee to carry out the remote work unless the employer and employee agree otherwise”, it added.
Additionally, the regulations clarify employee entitlements, including for part-time employees. They also outline requirements for obtaining and cancelling an employee's work permit and visa as well as expand obligations and responsibilities related to discrimination and victimisation in the workplace.
Companies that offer staff hybrid working have an advantage over those that do not, a report commissioned by the UAE government found this week.
The white-paper, titled Remote Working in the UAE, concluded that “remote working is more of an opportunity than it is a threat”. The report found the argument for a policy that supports remote work was compelling, with evidence showing a hybrid model that combined working from home and the office can increase productivity.
The financial centre has been experiencing a rise in asset and fund managers, with assets under its management rising by 215 per cent annually in the third quarter of last year. The total number of operational entities within ADGM’s jurisdiction increased to 2,251 during the three months, up 31 per cent annually, reflecting strong demand from sectors like asset management, financial technology and professional services.
ADGM's growth aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader economic diversification goals, with the emirate’s economy registering a 4.5 per cent annual growth in the third quarter of 2024, driven by sustained growth in the non-oil sector that continued to fuel the emirate's economic momentum.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
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Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
