Fathers will be able to take up to five days paternal leave in the UAE after a new ruling was introduced. Getty Images
Fathers will be able to take up to five days paternal leave in the UAE after a new ruling was introduced. Getty Images
Fathers will be able to take up to five days paternal leave in the UAE after a new ruling was introduced. Getty Images
Fathers will be able to take up to five days paternal leave in the UAE after a new ruling was introduced. Getty Images

‘Am I entitled to paternal leave for my baby’s birth?’


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My wife is pregnant with our first child and it has been a difficult pregnancy due to some medical conditions she has. I have had to take most of my annual leave due to her health and won't have much leave left when the baby is due in December. Do I have the right to take paternity leave or extra leave, even if unpaid, because of my family circumstances? PG, Dubai

Congratulations on the impending birth. The timing is fortuitous as there has just been a change to the UAE Labour Law. Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 2020, which amends Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, otherwise known as the UAE Labour Law, came into effect on September 25 and is good news for fathers.

The decree provides entitlement of five paid days of parental leave to all employees in the private sector. The parental leave must be taken within six months of the birth and does not affect the existing provisions for female employees. This is as per Article 30 of the UAE Labour Law.

The new provisions apply to all private sector employees including those who work in free zones, but excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market, which have their own rules that allow for similar parental leave.

Interestingly, the decree refers to male and female employees and all appear to be eligible immediately once they start working for a company. So, it seems that female staff now have a few days of fully paid leave even if they have less than a year of service. Ordinarily, the standard maternity leave of 45 days is payable at just 50 per cent if a female employee has worked for a company for less than a full year.

I have been in my job for more than a year. When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, I want to travel to Sri Lanka to visit my family. I am owed annual leave. However, my employer retains all employees' passports. He says it is up to him to give me back my passport and that he can choose whether I can take annual leave. Do I have any rights over this as it does not seem to be fair? SV, Sharjah

There are two main issues to address here. In respect of annual leave, if an employee has accrued leave, then they must be permitted to take it, but the employer can restrict when it is taken. This is a mainland company, so the UAE Labour Law applies in full. Article 76 of the Labour Law states: “The employer may determine the date of commencement of the annual leave and may divide it, if necessary, to two or more periods.” This means the employer can decide when leave can be taken but they should not prevent staff from taking leave as the law specifies minimum entitlement.

In respect of the passport, no employer should ever retain an employee’s passport without their express permission. I am aware this happens but this is a form of unacceptable control and is illegal. A passport is technically the property of the government that issued it and wording to this effect can be found in the small print in every passport.

No employer should ever retain an employee's passport without their express permission

While everyone has to hand their passports over to authorised bodies to obtain visas, individuals are not supposed to hand them over to unauthorised bodies, including employers, for reasons other than affixing visas.

The legal department of the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) has advised that “retaining workers’ passports also amounts to forcible work in violation of the International Labour Organisation Convention on the Abolition of Forced Labour, to which the UAE is a signatory”.

In 2002, the Ministry of Interior issued a decree that said: “As the passport is a personal document and as the law obliges its owner to keep and show when required by governmental authorities, it is not allowed for any party to detain the passport except by official parties with a judicial order and according to the law. Consequently, it will be considered as an illegal action to detain the passport in the UAE, except by governmental parties.”

The offence carries a jail sentence and a fine of up to Dh20,000.

If an employer refuses to return a passport, the individual can register a case against them via MoHRE or at their local labour office, but I would advise going directly to the police if it is required urgently. If an employer refuses to permit an employee to take the leave that is due to them, they should also register a complaint with MoHRE.

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

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Company%20profile%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

The figures behind the event

1) More than 300 in-house cleaning crew

2) 165 staff assigned to sanitise public areas throughout the show

3) 1,000 social distancing stickers

4) 809 hand sanitiser dispensers placed throughout the venue

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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

How to come clean about financial infidelity
  • Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
  • Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help. 
  • Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
  • Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
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Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Scoreline

Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)

New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m

8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m

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Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)

Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg

Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD

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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
The%20specs
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Company profile

Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)