Home-grown brand The Entertainer is doing its part for the local community with the launch of number of new initiatives.
The popular app is known for offering users incentives and buy-one-get-one offers across dining, leisure, beauty and hotel brands in the region. But, with people practising social distancing and self-isolation, it has had to change its strategy to match the current environment.
Which is why the brand is increasingly focusing on the delivery side of its business. For the first time ever, the app is making its 25 per cent discount on delivery offers open to all. While members can stand to find the same discounts and buy-one-get-one free offers on delivery that they’ve come to expect, non-members can download the iOS and Android app for free and avail the 25 per cent discount on food deliveries.
The delivery works for independent restaurants like Brick Lane Dubai and Bakericious as well as chains like Popeyes and Pizzaro, with more merchants being added to the list. The initiative was made to make food more affordable while catering to the rising demand for delivery.
Those worried that the move may hit restaurants and business owners needn’t worry either. In an effort to support restaurants it has partnered with, the app has announced that it will be waiving all commissions received on food deliveries “until the UAE government deems it safe to open restaurant doors”.
“Everyone is doing their best to navigate a new normal, and as a market leader, it was necessary to step in and help restaurants to continue delivering food. We know that these are challenging times, and we want to help our merchants focus on doing what they do best — delivering delicious food! We hope this will play a part in helping to maintain their delivery operations and to support their team,” says Mike Rich, marketing director.
For now, offers on outdoor activities and staycations have been put on hold, with the brand focusing on online deliveries, and this isn't limited to just food. UAE residents can avail discounts on services like Cafu (the online fuel delivery app) as well as from e-commerce merchants offering delivery like We Flowers, Al Jaber Optical, Levantine Crafts, and ART Fleur (although there is a minimum spend limit). In the weeks to come, they plan to add other e-commerce merchants like Joi Gifts, Laundry Portal, Babysouk, My Jooti and Sedar.
“We want people to stay at home and be safe,” says a representative from The Entertainer.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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 legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
