Question: I own a property in Abu Dhabi and am applying for a golden visa. I am an employee and want to continue in my job. To get the golden visa, my work visa has to be cancelled so I don’t understand how I stay employed and have medical insurance. What happens to my gratuity? MY, Abu Dhabi
Answer: In this situation, a person remains employed with continuous and unchanged terms of employment. It is just the visa that changes.
The golden visa replaces the residency visa issued by an employer. The employer then applies for a non-sponsored work permit, as this permit, known colloquially as a labour card, must be provided for all employees in the UAE, no matter their visa situation.
The employer is also legally obliged to continue providing medical insurance, exactly as before. This must be for the employee and their family in accordance with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi requirements and should be a continuation of cover.
The terms of employment will be unchanged, including entitlement to the end-of-service gratuity, in line with the contract that is registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Q: I work with someone who posts on Instagram and TikTok every day and who seems to hate his life in the UAE. He has been stopped from naming our employer but he still posts insults about companies and places here.
I have told him that this is not a good thing to do and that he can get into trouble, but he doesn’t believe me and says he can say what he likes. How can I explain that he is being disrespectful to the country and that his behaviour is not acceptable? CT, Dubai
A: The UAE has codes of conduct of behaviour and CT’s colleague is breaking UAE laws.
Dubai Public Prosecution has issued press releases and videos to explain the law and to remind people to behave appropriately.
In a video issued in June 2020, which is still valid, the Public Prosecution reminded people that those who publish “information, news, statements or rumours” online with the intent to “damage the reputation, prestige or statute of the State or any of its institutions or its president, vice-president, any of the rulers of the Emirates, their crown princes, or the deputy rulers of the Emirates, the State flag, the national peace, its logo, national anthem or any of its symbols, shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine not in excess of Dh1 million”.
This applies to all users of social media and people need to be responsible when posting online.
Q: I work for a UAE company but will be transferring to the Bahrain office next month. I plan to start a family as I am now married and although I do plan to carry on working, I am concerned about the maternity leave. It is a new office and no one seems to know very much about laws and I can’t really ask in this case. I have just been told that it is a lot like the UAE. CC, Dubai
A: Bahrain has laws separate to the UAE and employment is governed by Law No 36 of 2012, Labour Law for the Private Sector. There have been a few enhancements over the years but the main rules are unchanged.
The subject of maternity leave is covered in Article 32 of the law. This states: “A female worker shall be entitled to maternity leave on full pay for sixty (60) days which shall include the period before and after her confinement provided she produces a medical certificate attested by a government health centre or one of the clinics approved by the employer stating the expected date of her confinement.”
This leave can be extended for medical reasons. “A female worker may obtain an additional leave without pay due to her confinement for a period of fifteen (15) days in addition to the aforesaid leave.”
The law goes on to say, “It shall be prohibited for a female worker to work during the forty (40) days following her confinement.” This means that she must have time off work.
The law does not make any mention of a period of employment before this applies but it would still be wise for CC to request that her new contract of employment in Bahrain refers to continual employment for the purpose of such benefits.
Usefully, the law makes some provision for women to take time off to care for young children. This is unpaid and has limitations but is still helpful to working parents
It is also worth pointing out Article 33 of the law. “It shall be prohibited for an employer to dismiss a female worker or to terminate her contract of employment because of marriage or during maternity leave.”
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only
Contact Keren at keren@holbornassets.com or at www.financialuae.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
England XI for second Test
Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, James Anderson
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
Race results:
1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min
2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec
3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
More on Quran memorisation:
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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RESULT
RS Leipzig 3
Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'
Emil Forsberg 87'
Tottenham 0
Results
5pm: Al Falah – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bshara, Richard Mullen (jockey), Salem Al Ketbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Al Dhafra – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Mualami, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
6.30pm: Al Khaleej Al Arabi – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hawafez, Adrie de Vries, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Mafraq – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi
7.30pm: Al Samha – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Patrick Cosgrave, Ismail Mohammed
