An 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction has opened in Dubai as part of a project to ease traffic flow in the city.
The tunnel extends from the junction with Al Khail Road to the intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road as part of the Umm Suqeim Street development project.
The project is part of plans by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to ease the flow of traffic and improve the road infrastructure in the emirate.
“The Umm Suqeim Street development project extends from the intersection with Al Khail Road to the intersection with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, covering a distance of 4.6km," said Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director general, on Sunday.
"The works included upgrading the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Al Barsha South Street, near Kings’ School, where an 800-metre-long underpass with four lanes in each direction was constructed, in addition to a signalised surface-level intersection.
"This development is considered one of the most important strategic projects for developing transverse east-west roads to enhance connectivity with vertical north-south roads. The completion of the project complements RTA’s efforts to upgrade this corridor."
The tunnel is part of plans to develop the Umm Suqeim-Al Qudra corridor, which extends from the intersection with Jumeirah Street to the junction with Emirates Road, spanning a total of 16km.
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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.
