Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has directed a financial support package to be provided to more than 1,000 Emirati pupils. Photo: Supplied
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has directed a financial support package to be provided to more than 1,000 Emirati pupils. Photo: Supplied
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has directed a financial support package to be provided to more than 1,000 Emirati pupils. Photo: Supplied
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has directed a financial support package to be provided to more than 1,000 Emirati pupils. Photo: Supplied

UAE

Education

Sheikh Hamdan directs financial assistance for 1,100 Emirati pupils

Support will be delivered to low-income families before start of new academic year

Chris Maxwell
Chris Maxwell

August 14, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has directed a financial support package to be provided to more than 1,000 Emirati pupils from low-income families before the start of the academic year.

Dubai's Community Development Authority will distribute funds to 1,101 pupils registered with the authority.

The assistance will be provided by the end of the month.

The total value of the funding programme was not disclosed.

It is part of a wider strategy by the Higher Committee for Development and Citizen Affairs to help young people with limited incomes.

The Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs was created in May to advance the development of Emiratis in Dubai, to ensure long-term stability and to raise the quality of life for citizens.

“The directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed reflect the keenness of Dubai’s wise leadership on providing all ways of support for citizens,” said Ahmad Julfar, director general of Dubai Community Development Authority.

“The directives come before the beginning of the new academic year, aiming at supporting our minors and helping Emirati families to reduce financial burdens.”

In June, Sheikh Hamdan announced a 58 per cent boost to the fund supporting Emiratis in Dubai who are on limited incomes.

The allocated resources to help the emirate's most vulnerable are now at Dh438 million ($119m).

Sheikh Hamdan, chairman of the committee, emphasised the importance of caring for citizens.

“The social sector is the most important during the coming period, and I invite all government agencies to focus on it,” Sheikh Hamdan said at the committee's first meeting.

“I invite all economic actors to participate in developing this vital sector.

“My brother [Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai] Sheikh Maktoum and I have a mission” entrusted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

“Citizens first and second and third.”

Hessa Buhumaid said fuel and shopping subsidies would begin on July 5, 2022, while household payments and other measures will be introduced in September 2022. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Hessa Buhumaid said fuel and shopping subsidies would begin on July 5, 2022, while household payments and other measures will be introduced in September 2022. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Emiratis on lower incomes will receive a subsidy on the petrol they purchase. This effectively means a 85 per cent discount on any petrol that costs more than Dh2.1 per litre - the current price is about Dh4.6 per litre. Sarah Dea/ The National
Emiratis on lower incomes will receive a subsidy on the petrol they purchase. This effectively means a 85 per cent discount on any petrol that costs more than Dh2.1 per litre - the current price is about Dh4.6 per litre. Sarah Dea/ The National
Monthly support payments will help Emiratis to absorb the cost of living. Jaime Puebla / The National
Monthly support payments will help Emiratis to absorb the cost of living. Jaime Puebla / The National
Emiratis on household incomes lower than Dh25,000 will receive a further subsidy on energy costs. Photo: PA
Emiratis on household incomes lower than Dh25,000 will receive a further subsidy on energy costs. Photo: PA
University fees will be subsidised to encourgage Emirati children to study further. Pawan Singh / The National
University fees will be subsidised to encourgage Emirati children to study further. Pawan Singh / The National

Last month, President Sheikh Mohamed announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6bn) social support package to provide lower income Emirati families with subsidies to pay for essentials including fuel, food and utilities.

The President said the existing social support scheme for citizens would be restructured to raise annual financial assistance from Dh2.7bn to Dh5bn.

The total social support budget has been doubled from Dh14bn.

The social welfare programme has already delivered vital assistance to more than 47,000 limited-income Emirati families to pay for essentials including fuel, food and utilities.

The initiative sets out a series of allowances for Emiratis, which also cover accommodation, university education and support for job seekers.

Emirati families whose household income is up to Dh25,000 a month are eligible.

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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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Updated: August 14, 2022, 8:53 AM`
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