Couples fighting and arguing on WhatsApp can create more problems in already troubled marriages, Dubai's head of family and juvenile prosecution has said.
Mohammed Ali Rustom, who is also the emirate's advocate general, said social media has led to marital discord and even divorce in some cases.
This mainly happens in relationships that are already going through a difficult period, with chatting apps and social media making it easier for couples to accuse and insult each other.
He said despite a change in UAE’s cybercrime laws that stiffened punishments for issuing insults online, cases involving people insulting one another online — including married couples — have increased.
Those who are found guilty could go to prison and pay a fine of between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000.
These penalties apply to all kinds of online communications, including private conversations.
“Several factors have led to an increase in family dispute cases. A busy lifestyle has made people less patient and hastier,” Mr Ali Rustom said.
“Earlier, parents would focus on maintaining their family’s unity and ensured keeping their children out of their marital problems, but it's different now.”
He said lack of communication and overuse of technology has made it easier for people to react spontaneously, as couples often do not think before sending messages or reacting to them.
“Family prosecutors dealt with 706 family dispute cases throughout last year compared to 601 from January to September this year”, he said. There were 567 cases in 2020.
“We always prioritise settlement and suggest it several times before and even after a marital dispute case is referred to court,” he added.
“We never give up on offering settlement, and social experts and prosecutors make great efforts to achieve that every time they meet with a disputed couple.”
Mr Ali Rustom said a “family room” has helped prosecutors and social workers better connect with disputed couples, and helped some of them to reconcile.
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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.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
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