Online micro-businesses say they will feel the effects of new rules that compel paid social media influencers buy a new media licence.
A popular Facebook question and answer group that allows small paid-for ads is typical of those, as are sites and Instagram accounts that sell goods like video games and sneakers.
The new rules cover a wide range of media activities online but have become known for affecting social media influencers - who promote brands for often large amounts of money.
One example of the small businesses that will be affected is Freya Jaffar, who set up the closed group Abu Dhabi Q&A five years ago, thinking it would attract a few thousand followers. But over the years the group's membership has mushroomed to almost 49,000.
It has now become a full-time operation for the page’s four administrators, who must monitor the group round the clock to ensure all comments comply with the law; however, the group's future has now been complicated by the introduction of plans to regulate the social media industry, first announced in March.
Last week it emerged that influencers would now require two licences – both a trade licence and the special e-media licence with the law coming into force in June.
Mrs Jaffar fears the group may no longer be commercially viable due to the costs of the licences, which will exceed Dh35,000 for her – Dh15,000 on top of the Dh20,000 she has already paid for a marketing licence.
'Is it worth my while?'
She took out the trade licence last year on the back of the increasing demands of running the page, hoping that if she could find a way to monetise it, and administrators could be compensated for their spiralling commitment and associated costs.
“We are trying to work with businesses to say 'look, if you want to advertise, do it transparently. Don’t sneak in the comments. Give it to us',” said Mrs Jaffar, who is from the UK.
She said the group keeps the charges to “three figures” for each advert, but many companies are reluctant to pay. And some even dress up their adverts as charity, she added.
________________
Read more on influencers:
Social media influencers: what are they and how do they stay on the right side of the law?
$5,000 a post: the power of UAE’s social media influencers
UAE's paid social media influencers will need licence under new media rules
The rise of the influencers and 'retailtainment' in China
__________________
Journalists often use the site as a resource and fail to credit the group, too, she said. And some publications surreptitiously promote their stories through the site by posing as members of the public when they are in fact editors or the writers of the articles, she said.
“And for these businesses that don’t want to pay us, I have to in my own time go and protect their reputation by removing comments. So I am still working for them because I have to follow the laws of the country,” said Mrs Jaffar.
“That’s why I am thinking, 'is it really worth it? Is it worth my while to do this?' Because just as I am about to make money, crawling, now this influencer licence has come along and my legs will be broken before I am walking.”
The National Media Council says the move is necessary to professionalise what is in parts an unregulated industry.
NMC director general Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri in March said that "today, electronic media has become a highly influential and widespread tool; it is imperative that we enhance its reliability".
Influencers and social media businesses also said there is a need to bring 'integrity to an unregulated market'.
For Mrs Jaffar, she is weighing up her options.
She posted a message on the page this week asking members how useful the group was to members, prompting a flood of more than 280 comments.
“This group has helped me time and again since I joined maybe six months ago. The Skype problem, tipping waiters, the speed limit on roads, etc...,” wrote one member.
“It would be a great loss for me should this group close down.”
Mrs Jaffar now has less than two weeks to decide whether to apply for the e-media licence. She is currently in talks with a potential partner about setting up a social media company, which will require the e-media licence. If it comes off in time, she will be able to justify the cost and keep the page going, she said. If not, she is unsure.
“Is it really worth all of the effort now? I am still seeing how it goes.”
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nabil%20Ayouch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nisrin%20Erradi%2C%20Joud%20Chamihy%2C%20Jalila%20Talemsi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
INDIA SQUADS
India squad for third Test against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Vijay Shankar
India squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul
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.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
RACE CARD
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Amith's selections:
5pm: AF Sail
5.30pm: Dahawi
6pm: Taajer
6.30pm: Pharitz Oubai
7pm: Winked
7.30pm: Shahm
8pm: Raniah
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
