In reference to your article, My ex-husband owes me eight years of maintenance payments. Can I have him detained at Dubai Airport? (September 16), I believe that any woman with a decent amount of self-esteem can make it on her own and stand on her own two feet.
Mahesh Kumar, Abu Dhabi
Whilst I wholly understand that in theory, women shouldn't be wholly dependent on their husbands or divorcees, and men shouldn't technically have to bear the brunt of ex-wives' bills, there is no point judging, as we have no idea of the ins and outs of such cases. What if they had agreed among them for her to quit her job to be a stay-at-home mother while they were married? Wouldn't he then be financially responsible for the long-term impact on her career prospects? If a decision is made in a partnership, one should not be left holding the ball if things go wrong.
Ela Jayne, Abu Dhabi
Certain laws may be preventing this woman from standing on her own two feet. For instance, if the man had stipulated that she stay at home with the children, he can still technically put that as a stipulation even after their divorce. Of course, the court can deny that request, but it's an actual possibility. Also, he may have not allowed her to study while they were married (he could legally stop her from attending university, remember), which could mean that he may have successfully kept her unempowered during the marriage, causing her to be unemployable and financially incapable now. I believe that people should look into gender constructs before judging others. The laws are rapidly changing, but some that are still in place give men full control over women's career and personal options.
Tiffany Malnar, Abu Dhabi
Story on US vow to revise Iran strategy stood out for me
Your editorial, Washington's vow to revise Tehran strategy is welcome (September 13), was quite an interesting piece of writing. It was articulate, brief and straight to the point and I really enjoyed reading it.
Doz Emmanuel, Dubai
Private and public sectors off for Hijri New Year
I refer to your article HR Ministry confirms holiday for UAE public and private sector workers to mark Al Hijri New Year (September 17). At least now, we all are on the same page. Regardless, both the public and private spheres will officially be given one day off for the new Hijri year.
Mathew Litty, Dubai
Mother Nature keeps reminding us of the universe's disdain
In reference to your article, Are the spate of natural disasters a sign of climate change or random coincidence? (September 16), in my opinion, natural disasters are the universe's warning signals to us.
Saif Saed, Dubai
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
Company%20profile
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
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.
