I work as a security guard for a large company. Despite working 12 hours a day during Ramadan, I am not being paid extra for working overtime.
Can I ask the management of my company to pay me overtime during the holy month? RP, Dubai
RP works for a large private company that should be aware of the labour rules and working hours during Ramadan.
These rules apply to all employees and, as explained in a previous column, the law states that all employees should work two hours a day less during the holy month.
Federal Law 33 of 2021, known as the new Labour Law, which came into effect on February 2, states in Article 17: “The maximum normal working hours for workers shall be eight hours per day, or 48 hours per week.”
The Labour Law also specifies the overtime limits and payment rates.
The rules regarding overtime also apply during Ramadan, so if staff are asked to work longer hours than are normal during this month, they should be paid overtime.
Employees can be asked to work up to two additional hours per day, or a maximum of 144 total working hours every three weeks. The overtime should be paid at the normal rate plus an increase of 25 per cent of the gross salary, including any allowances.
If an employee is asked to work additional hours from 9pm to 4am, the payment should be increased by 50 per cent of standard pay, unless they usually work shifts as part of their standard contract of employment.
The only exception to this is for senior and managerial staff, who are not legally entitled to overtime payments. However, all employers are expected to be considerate during Ramadan.
I have come across several cases in which security guards work more than the legal number of hours. This is not right.
All employers who insist that employees work excess hours are breaking the law if they do not pay them overtime. Individuals can raise a case against them with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
The ministry will take an especially dim view of a company that does not follow UAE law in terms of Ramadan working hours.
A real estate company employed me on January 14. They promised me that my visa has been processed, but I found out this is not true.
I now have overstay fines totalling Dh5,000. What can I do about this? SN, Dubai
Any company that takes on an employee but fails to apply for a visa at the outset is breaking the law.
Even if the individual is on a spouse or parent visa, the employer must apply for a work permit. Any individual who does not have a residency visa and work permit is working illegally and has no protection in law.
I have received similar letters in the past and it seems to be far too common for some real estate agents not to apply for a visa until someone has been with them for a few months.
The government is very clear about this situation. It issued Federal Decree Law No 7 for 2007, which amended the Immigration Law and increased the potential fine for employers who fail to obtain proper visas and permits for employees from Dh10,000 per worker to Dh50,000. This is unchanged.
Any individual who does not have a residency visa and work permit is working illegally and has no protection in law
Keren Bobker,
senior partner, Holborn Assets
In addition to this fine, employers can receive an additional Dh50,000 fine from the MoHRE. If an employer repeats the offence, the fines can increase.
A foreign company owner could face criminal proceedings, be deported or served with a lifetime ban. If the owner is a UAE citizen, they can receive a jail sentence.
Without a residency visa SN is not a legal employee and is responsible for any overstay fines that have accrued.
The employer will know this and has put SN in an unfair position because he has no recourse to a legal complaint without a residency visa. It also means he is not beholden to an employer and is not subject to, or protected by, UAE Labour Law.
My husband sponsors me and I don’t have a job. Can I open a bank account?
His bank said I cannot open an account, but is that really the case? AS, Ras Al Khaimah
Any resident adult can open a bank account in the UAE, whether they have an income or not. Most banks offer a non-salary account, although they are not all publicised. These usually offer a debit card and online banking but no credit facilities.
The LIV account from Emirates NBD and the Mashreq Neo Students and Housewives account are probably the easiest to set up because you can do it through their apps, without visiting a branch.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 25 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Read more about the coronavirus
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More coverage from the Future Forum
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The five pillars of Islam
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The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
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MATCH INFO
Inter Milan v Juventus
Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Watch the match on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
