My previous employer still owes me money as the owner did not pay my gratuity after working for nine years in the company. They terminated me three years ago, but I didn’t file a case as I trusted that he would pay me when he could. He is still asking me to wait until his business has a good level of income but I don’t want to wait any more.
I now work for a different company. Do I have a chance of getting the money that he owes me? Is it worth making a case against my previous employer? CT, Dubai
Waiting three years to be paid an end-of-service gratuity is a very long time and it looks as if the previous employer has no intention of paying what is owed. When someone leaves employment, they are asked to sign documentation stating that they have received all that is due to them in order for their visa to be cancelled. No one should sign this without actually having been paid what they are owed as it will weaken any claim against the employer.
It might be possible for CT to register a case against the employer via the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) if there is evidence to back up the claim. It is never wise to just take anyone’s word that they will pay in such a situation. It is important that all agreements are in writing so that if an employer fails to pay what is owed, as in this case, the individual at least has some evidence.
After three years and if CT signed the cancellation papers, the MoHRE may consider the case to be weak, especially if there is no proof, but may be willing to assist if she can provide written evidence. The ministry can be contacted via their online chat function or by telephone on 800 60.
More than 25 years ago, I lived and worked in the UK for quite a few years. I was a member of a company pension scheme, which I also paid into. I have moved many times since then and lost my details and the company doesn't seem to exist now. Is there a way of finding out what happened to the pension scheme and what I might be due when I retire? TB, Abu Dhabi
All UK pension schemes are regulated and there will be records somewhere. Money in a company scheme should not be lost as all registered schemes are subject to regulatory and government rules.
TB should contact the UK’s Pension Tracing Service with details of any paperwork he might have and his UK national insurance number.
Ordinarily, the Service can be contacted by post, but this option has been suspended for the time being due to the coronavirus situation. I suggest that he contact them during UK working hours on +44 191 215 4491. There may be delays due to limited staff at this time so he may have to try a few times. I have used this service for a few clients and they are helpful.
It is important that people only contact the proper UK government agency as there are companies out there who claim to offer a free service but actually want to push people into pension transfers, whether appropriate or not.
I need to get a number of documents notarised, but am at a loss about where to go. I know there are lawyers who will do this but the ones I have spoken to are expensive, especially for all I need doing. Are there any other ways of doing this? DA, Abu Dhabi
For most documents, you can visit one of the authorised notary publics and there are more than 20 in the emirate of Abu Dhabi alone. Details of locations with timings can be found in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department website.
In some cases, paperwork can also be notarised at an embassy but it is important to check that a UAE notarised document is recognised in the country the document is required for
Costs should be standardised, although they will vary depending on the actual documents and whether legal translation is required. Multiple copies of the documents to be attested will be required, together with the original, and proof of identity, which should be both the Emirates Identity Card and passport.
The fees will vary from Dh50 to Dh500, plus extra for translation if this is required, so DA may wish to contact an office first to ascertain the fees relating to his documents. There is also an email address to make enquiries: notary.ad@adjd.gov.ae
There are public notaries who offer a range of services in all emirates. In some cases, paperwork can also be notarised at an embassy but it is important to check that a UAE notarised document is recognised in the country the document is required for. In certain cases, a lawyer registered in a home country will be required.
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
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
