Job losses in aviation and related industries could climb to 1.5 million in Middle East this year due to the sharp fall in passenger traffic amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to the International Air Transport Association.
This is more than half of the region’s 2.4 million aviation-related employment and 300,000 more than the estimates it released earlier this year, Iata said in a statement on Thursday. Full-year traffic is expected to plunge 56 per cent year-on-year in 2020, a downward revision from earlier 51 per cent estimate.
Middle East economies have struggled amid the Covid-19 and without air connectivity "the socio-economic impact is getting worse”, Muhammad Albakri, Iata’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, said.
Businesses, which contribute substantially to the region’s economy and provide thousands of jobs, are at risk without vital air connections to the rest of the world, he added.
Iata said gross domestic product supported by the aviation industry in the region may drop by up to $85 billion (Dh312bn) in 2020. It had earlier predicted a fall of $66bn for the region.
Governments around the world are gradually easing travel restrictions as they reopen their economies. However, demand for air travel has not picked up as fast as industry experts had anticipated.
To minimise the impact on jobs and the economy, an “accelerated recovery” is required, which can be achieved through focusing on harmonising the restart of air transport across the region and continued financial and regulatory support, Iata said.
“Direct financial aid such as wage subsidies and loans, an extension of the waiver to the 80-20 slot rule and relief from taxes and charges is needed,” it added.
Under normal circumstances, 80-20 principle requires airlines to operate flights on at least 80 per cent of their allocated slots. Otherwise, they risk losing them to competitors in the following season or year.
“This is needed to provide critical relief to airlines in planning schedules amid unpredictable demand patterns,” said Mr Albakri.
“Saudi Arabia has confirmed a waiver for its slot coordinated airports and we hope the UAE, Morocco and Tunisia will do so soon,” said Mr Albakri, adding that airlines need to focus on meeting demand and not slot rules that were never meant to accommodate the sharp fluctuations of pandemic.
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
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.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Results
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The%C2%A0specs%20
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