Even though Libya went to the polls last week, the lack of enthusiasm among the electorate was apparent in the paltry turnout, which was even lower than in July 2012, the first free national vote in more than 40 years. According to officials, about 630,000 people cast their ballots, fewer than half of the 1.5 million people who were eligible to vote.
Given the widespread frustration over the outgoing General National Congress, which the new parliament will replace, the question is this: why are Libyans reluctant to vote? The simple answer is that they have grown weary of politics three years after the fall of Muammar Qaddafi in 2011 and, more instructively, they think that real power lies in the hands of the many militias now at large around the country. These groups have never allowed any government to do its work unimpeded and it is unlikely they will do so now.
As the elections began, at least four people were killed in clashes between Islamists and government forces in Benghazi. And, as The National reported, one of the country's most prominent activists, Salwa Bughaigis, was assassinated at home hours after casting her ballot. Bughaigis, a lawyer, was among the most outspoken voices against militias and extremists.
Although Libyans have expressed shock and anger at the killing, the incident is increasingly common in a country where secular activists, judges, moderate clerics and policemen are frequent targets.
Libyans understand the advantages of democracy, but they also crave security. The violence that has recently pulsed across the country has been some of the worst Libya has experienced in the post-Qaddafi period and hardly encourages the electorate to believe these elections are a meaningful exercise in democratic rule.
The problem now is that the low turnout will neither make the various militias accept the legitimacy of the new parliament nor hasten them to disarm in favour of the emerging political arrangement.
Unless a compromise is reached, stability and progress will remain impossible. Worse still, political stalemate will encourage the militias to believe they, rather than politicians, will shape the destiny of this conflict-ravaged country.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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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.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
