Since October 2018, I have been paid Dh3,000 each month – Dh1,500 is my basic salary and Dh1,500 is paid as allowances. In May, the company's management decided to reduce my total salary to Dh2,000 without notice. When I called the accounts department to say they had underpaid me, I was told it was a directive from management due to Covid-19. I then called a director at my company and said I did not see why I should have my salary cut as I am still working eight hours each day, sometimes more. But he just said that I had to understand the present situation. I can't live on this amount of money and it is not fair. What can I do? SA, Dubai
No employer is permitted to reduce a salary in this way. In an effort to help private companies deal with the effects of coronavirus on their businesses, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in March published “Ministerial Resolution No.279 of 2020”, which states that if an employer is adversely affected by Covid-19, they can take certain steps to reduce their costs. However, the employer must discuss the decision with the employee, who has to also agree to the reduced salary.
Under the resolution, there is a process that employers should follow. These are: 1. Implement the remote working system. 2. Give the worker a paid leave. 3. Give the worker an unpaid leave. 4. Reduce the worker’s wage on a temporary basis during the said period. 5. Reduce the worker’s wage permanently.
On the assumption the first three are not viable, a salary reduction can be implemented but it cannot be done without mutual agreement and the employee must also sign paperwork attesting to this.
Article 6 of the Resolution goes on to say: “If the establishment wishes to reduce the wage of the non-national worker permanently, it shall apply for a “work contract details amendment” service to obtain the ministry’s approval, according to applicable procedures”. This is in reference to a permanent salary reduction. There is not a lot of detail here but "applicable procedures" refers to a new contract that must be lodged with MoHRE and approval must be obtained before that can happen.
The expectation is that the employee has agreed to the reduction in salary before it is implemented. The guidance is clear that this must be by agreement of both parties, employer and employee.
I suggest SA contacts MoHRE as it appears the employer has acted illegally in reducing his salary without his agreement. The contact number for MoHRE is 800 60 and there is also an online chat function on its website at mohre.gov.ae
I was terminated from my job but my boss wants to use my ignorance of the law not to pay me. I did not receive any holiday pay or gratuity and they didn't give me notice. What am I entitled to? I worked for the company for six weeks. DH, Ras al Khaimah
DH was on probation and so no notice of termination was required as set out in Article 37 of UAE Labour Law, which states: "The worker may be employed for a probation period not exceeding six months where the employer may terminate the services of the worker without notification or end of service gratuity." No end of service gratuity was due as employees must work a minimum of 12 months to be eligible.
In this situation, DH must be paid for the number of days he worked and also for annual leave days that have accrued. This is likely to be two days, so this should be added to the salary as a final settlement.
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
HOW DO SIM CARD SCAMS WORK?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Super Rugby play-offs
Quarter-finals
- Hurricanes 35, ACT 16
- Crusaders 17, Highlanders 0
- Lions 23, Sharks 21
- Chiefs 17, Stormers 11
Semi-finals
Saturday, July 29
- Crusaders v Chiefs, 12.35pm (UAE)
- Lions v Hurricanes, 4.30pm
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
AUSTRALIA SQUADS
ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Twenty20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
