Blockchain is the latest buzzword being used among public and private sector companies. The technology is growing so fast that Middle East and Africa spending on blockchain will more than double to $80.8 million by the end of 2018 from a year earlier, according to US-based International Data Corporation (IDC).
We take a look at what this technology is all about.
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a growing digital chain of transactions that are linked with each other using cryptography - a mechanism for secure communications - that creates an open ledger to record transactions in a fast and efficient manner. It is a database technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and can work as a real-time archive for recording the history of financial transactions, contracts, physical assets and supply-chain information.
There is no one person or entity in charge of the entire chain. It is an open network and everyone in the chain can see the details of each record. Every block is encrypted and can only be edited by its owner with a private key. If any change or edit is made the entire chain is updated in real time.
How does it work?
Each transaction is digitally encoded to certify its legitimacy and protect it. It ensures the digital security of transactions while reducing operational cost and speeding the decision-making process. The UAE plans to use blockchain for digital transactions, giving each customer a unique identification number that points to their information on the secure chain.
It is being adopted in a variety of commercial applications and it ensures that information and data on the blockchain cannot be hacked.
How does it help companies and governments?
Besides adding transparency, blockchain technology will help public and private sectors save time, effort and resources. It allows them to process their transactions at their preferred time from any place. Smart Dubai’s blockchain-powered Payment Reconciliation and Settlement System, which went live in October this year, allows transactions to be performed accurately and in real time, vastly increasing efficiency.
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What is the UAE’s strategy on blockchain?
UAE unveiled the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021 in April this year. It aims to switch almost 50 per cent of government transactions into the blockchain platform in three years. By adopting blockchain, the UAE is expected to save 77 million work hours annually, Dh11 billion in transaction costs and regular document processing and 398 million printed documents a year.
The UAE plan includes four pillars focusing on citizen and resident happiness, government efficiency, advanced legislation, and global entrepreneurship.
The Dubai Government has its own blockchain strategy that aims to help the emirate become the first city fully powered by blockchain by 2020.
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.
England squad
Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Dominic Bess, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Foakes, Lewis Gregory, Keaton Jennings, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Amar Virdi, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
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Two stars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
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Rating: 4/5
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
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Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
