Question: I see a lot of photographs of Dubai shared on social media but a friend who has been here for many years has warned me that I should take care when taking photographs when out and about, even if for my own Instagram account as I can get into trouble.
Do I really need to be concerned? CL, Dubai
Answer: There are considerations when taking photographs in the UAE and everyone should be aware of certain restrictions.
The first thing to be aware of is that it is not permitted to take photographs of government and semi-government buildings without specific permission.
The same applies to certain cultural sights. You will often see signs to this effect and the warnings should be taken seriously.
You should not take photographs of people in the street, or any public place, without their permission. This is especially important in respect of women.
Simply put, sharing photographs of people without their permission is seen as a serious offence.
The UAE has a law that covers copyright issues, Federal Law Decree 38 of 2021. This makes it clear that the person who took the photograph of someone else has no right to distribute or publish without the authorisation of the person(s) in the picture.
Should someone take photographs of other people without consent and post them online, they can be fined from Dh150,000 ($40,844) to Dh500,000 and/or be imprisoned for no less than six months.
The laws are about respecting individual rights, so always seek permission when taking any photographs in a public place, including in a restaurant or bar when people are in shot.
There is an exception for photographs at a public event or if a public figure or known personality who can reasonably accept that they will be photographed when going out, although good manners should prevail.
There is also an exception for publication if a photograph is deemed by the authorities to be in the public interest, but I understand that largely applies to tourist locations and buildings that promote the UAE.
One other exception is if a photograph is taken of an offence for the sole purpose of sharing with the police for the benefit of public safety.
Common sense and caution should prevail and if in doubt, always ask permission before picking up your camera or telephone.
Q: I have been with a company for two months but want to resign as I have heard of another job that I want.
I am in my probation period. How long do I have to stay once I tell my manager I am leaving?
Also, am I owed anything in addition to my daily salary as they told me I am building up holidays in the first year?
A colleague told me that the company doesn’t pay for any leave of an employee who quits in the first year. JL, Sharjah
A: The amount of notice required on leaving during the probation period varies, depending on whether a person is moving to another employer in the UAE or leaving the country.
JL plans to move to another employer in the UAE, so Article 9, clause 3 of UAE labour law applies.
It states: “If the worker wishes to move during the probationary period, to work for another employer in the State, he shall notify the original employer of the same in writing within not less than one month from the date of his wish to terminate the contract. Then, the new employer shall compensate the original employer for the costs of recruitment or contracting with the worker, unless otherwise agreed upon.”
Therefore, a full month’s notice is required and should be provided in writing. Note also that the new employer will incur some additional costs in accordance with the requirements of the law.
When a worker leaves service, he should receive pay for all days he has worked and is also entitled to be paid for any days of annual leave that have been accrued and not been taken
Keren Bobker
When JL leaves service, he should receive pay for all days he has worked and is also entitled to be paid for any days of annual leave that have been accrued and not been taken.
This is the case for anyone who chooses to resign at any time and applies even if one day of leave has accrued. No employer should refuse to make this payment.
The new labour law is very clear on this matter and Article 29, clause 3 states: “The employer may agree to grant the worker a leave from his annual leave balance during the probationary period, while the worker shall reserve his right to be compensated for the remainder of his annual leave balance in case he does not pass the probationary period.”
If the employer does not pay the full amount that is owed, any individual can register a case against them with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. This can be by telephone 600 590000, the website or through the app.
Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser and senior partner with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 30 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com or at www.financialuae.com
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
