Kuwait on Wednesday filled the posts of interior and defence ministers after two former senior royals resigned last month amid political tensions with the country’s elected parliament.
By royal decree, Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah, appointed one of his sons, Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al Sabah, as interior minister, while Sheikh Talal Al Sabah was appointed defence minister.
Sheikh Ahmed is a former deputy head of the National Guard while Sheikh Talal previously worked as an oil executive.
Last month, Kuwait's emir accepted the resignations of former defence minister Sheikh Hamad Al Sabah and interior minister Sheikh Ahmad Al Mansour.
For the past month, the emir appointed Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah as caretaker defence minister and Oil Minister Mohammad Al Fares as caretaker interior minister.
Opposition MPs recently filed motions for no-confidence votes against several ministers, including the foreign minister, in whom confidence was renewed in a vote last month.
Sheikh Hamad, who survived a no-confidence vote in Kuwait's parliament in January, said his decision to resign was driven by "arbitrary" questioning of ministers that impeded government work, Al Qabas reported.
A no-confidence vote requires the approval of the majority of members of parliament to be passed, but it is not uncommon for ministers facing a trust vote to resign before the session.
Kuwait's National Assembly enjoys legislative power and politicians have been known to challenge the government and royals.
The country has been shaken by disputes between elected politicians and successive governments dominated by the ruling Al Sabah family for more than a decade, with parliaments and Cabinets dissolved several times.
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.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
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Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
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'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
The specs
The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
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Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
