I write to you in reference to Anam Rizvi's article How Dubai schools can offer good education 'without the bells and whistles' (October 12).
There is a relatively easy solution to this problem: just prevent schools from becoming business enterprises that treat students as customers. Education should be the goal of schools – not profit.
Name withheld by request
Narendra Modi is paving the way for change in the subcontinent
This refers to the media reports and videos of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleaning up beaches in Mamallapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and the extensive criticism he received on various social media platforms.
This as a mere environmental awareness initiative that happens to be led by Mr Modi, it is in no way a political calculation.
The activities the prime minister partakes in, whether in India or abroad, must not automatically be seen as schemes devised by the BJP.
The Swachh Bharat initiative is actually intended for India to become a better, cleaner country.
Organisations should embrace such environmental initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Ramachandran Nair, Muscat
A confrontation between Turkey and Syria would be a disaster
I write to you in reference to your editorial Turkey's illegal invasion of Syria could have irrevocable consequences (October 10).
This is going to end in bloodshed for sure. If Damascus joins forces with the Kurds to defend northern Syria, then Turkey is likely to launch an all-out offensive against the Syrian regime as well.
Turkey has an edge in fire power over Bashar Al Assad’s regime.
I hope a confrontation between the two armies does not take place as this will likely ruin every chance of peace for Syria.
Hasan Nazim Khan, India
Abu Dhabi needs its own metro line to boost public transportation use
I write to you in reference to your article Abu Dhabi toll gate system free until January (October 13).
Building a metro that would connect Abu Dhabi island to Khalifa, Yas, Mussafah and Saadiyat would be extremely helpful for residents of the capital.
It would certainly contribute to boosting the use of public transportation.
Sarah Lloyd, UAE
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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 family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
