I write in reference to your article India's farming sector in need of real reforms (March 18): you are right to point out that loan waivers are not a long-term solution to India's farming crisis. There is something radically wrong with the supply and demand model in food production, causing a sad trend to emerge. Because many farmers do not get an adequate return on their investment and effort, many have been driven to suicide. And yet, consumers are forced to pay more every year for produce, raising the question: who is pocketing the gains?
The answer is a supply chain of wholesalers and retailers, who also hoard produce to limit supply and boost prices. It is here that the government needs to be proactive. Ultimately, when the supply chain is shortened, the margins of middlemen will be squeezed. As a result, farmers will get better prices and consumers will not have to pay more each year for their produce.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Support Special Olympians who defy odds to compete
In reference to your article Top UAE swimmer defies doctor who said he would never amount to anything (March 15): the UAE will be cheering for you and waiting to give you a hero's welcome when you return from competing in the Games.
Mariana De Carli, Dubai
Social media sites should ditch the hate speech
Please refer to your article Facebook blamed for spreading hate in Myanmar, Sri Lanka (March 17): the allegation that the popular social media site Facebook contributed to violence against Muslims in in Myanmar and Sri Lanka by not doing enough to snuff out hate speech and inflammatory posts is saddening. Social media sites are supposed to propagate positive messages and information to their users. Hate speech is a virus and Facebook – with its reputation still intact – should take steps to kill it.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
The spy poisoning has us all intrigued
In reference to your story Kremlin furious as Britain links Putin to ex-spy attack (March 16), I used to think Boris Johnson was a great guy but I have seen him say some very disturbing things since he became Foreign Secretary. I wouldn't be so fast to blame Russia. These false flag events happen constantly and shape the world we live in.
Jason Smith, Australia
The Russian trolls are thick as flies today. Agitprop at its best.
Erik Plante, Abu Dhabi
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Don%20Lee%2C%20Lee%20Jun-hyuk%2C%20Munetaka%20Aoki%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
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.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
