Latest: Minister calls for major rethink over personal spending, education and home working
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid spoke of the need to protect public health, the economy and the UAE's way of life in an online meeting to develop the nation's post-Covid-19 strategy.
The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai called on officials to combine to form an "Emirates team" that would ensure the country made the fastest recovery from a crisis gripping the globe.
Sheikh Mohammed is leading the three-day remote government meeting, bringing together ministers, secretaries general of executive councils and officials from more than 100 federal government and local authorities, and international experts.
The goal is to draw up a plan for the UAE after the Covid-19 virus crisis .. a plan that will ensure that we are the fastest country in recovery
"Today our goal is not only to protect people's health; rather, our goal is to protect the economy, protect the gains and protect a decent life," he said.
"My confidence in you is great. The main task today is for us to advance the Emirates faster than any country in the world.
"Today we have the federal government team, the local government teams, and I would like to call you all the Emirates team.
"The goal is to draw up a plan for the UAE after the Covid-19 virus crisis, a plan that will ensure that we are the fastest country in recovery."
Sheikh Mohammed praised Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his steadfast support during trying times.
The Vice President even revealed a poem he wrote in tribute.
“This disaster showed us your reality, a true friend and a great leader. Your support inspired all of us," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.
The six main areas of focus for the meeting include health, education, the economy, food security, society and government.
Ministers and officials have been discussing and taking part in interactive sessions.
The aim is to produce business plans, policies and means to ensure the short, medium and long-term development of the UAE’s government work, and enable the country to tackle economic and social challenges.
The meeting also discussed rebuilding the government's working system to manage the crisis with flexibility.
On Monday, the penultimate day of the meeting, the session was attended by senior UAE Cabinet members.
They included Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.
Sheikh Saif praised the government's response to the pandemic, saying authorities were quick to leap into action to contain the spread of the virus.
"At a time when the countries were concerned about the repercussions of Covid-19, the UAE sprang into action to not only help Emiratis stranded outside its borders, but also help people from other countries," he said.
Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said the government must now plan for life after the virus and consider how to protect its financial and human resources.
"After the crisis there will be a new world order and geopolitical changes," Mr Al Gergawi said.
"As the role of governments increases, technology will control a large part of daily life and the shape of the economy will change with the decline of old sectors and the emergence of new sectors."
He said a flexible government model would be needed and must be able to respond quickly to provide solutions to emerging issues.
Mr Al Gergawi said life at business and social levels would also probably change.
"It is important to establish a new culture, new skills and different systems and to abandon traditional methods of work, such as working remotely permanently for some groups."
He said the crisis was a chance to change society's culture and reassess unnecessary spending on luxuries.
"We need a plan to engineer a new culture for society, which ensures that our youth and future generations have a strong financial culture after the crisis," Mr Al Gergawi said.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
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Price: On request
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Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
The five pillars of Islam
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
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