Police in Dubai have seized counterfeit goods worth a staggering Dh9.3 billion over the last five years.
The force revealed the figure on Monday and said officers investigated more than 2,000 cases of financial crime including commercial fraud, counterfeiting and forgery over the same period.
During the first half of this year alone, officers at the anti-counterfeit, anti-fraud and anti-commercial fraud and piracy sections dealt with 315 cases, involving 394 suspects. They also recovered goods worth more than Dh1.7bn.
“The department works around the clock to combat economic crimes and holds regular meetings with brands’ representatives to explore methods and tools to uncover counterfeit goods," said Brig Jamal Al Jallaf, director of the General Department of Criminal Investigations at Dubai Police.
Authorities have been stepping up efforts to clamp down on the counterfeit trade. Over the past few years, the UAE has intensified inspection campaigns and is using blockchain technology to prevent fraud and counterfeiting.
The UAE also signed several international treaties for the protection of copyright work, including the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement.
In March, authorities recovered almost 16,000 illegal or fake tobacco products and shisha oils worth Dh1.5 million.
More than 300,000 bogus filters, spark plugs and other engine parts were seized by officials in 2020.
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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.
