Mohammed Al Shamsi is at an age when many take their first foray into formal employment.
The 14-year-old is looking forward to the day he earns his first pay cheque but he will have to wait. In the UAE, where employment is connected to a sponsorship system, part-time work for pupils is almost unheard of.
This is about to change. On Saturday, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued a decree allowing school pupils aged 15 and above to work paid part-time jobs. With permission from a guardian, pupils will be able to work up to three months at a time during school holidays.
For teenagers like Mohammed, this is welcomed news. “Honestly, I can’t wait to get started,” said the year 10 pupil. “I want to finally earn money so I can feel a lot more pride when spending it, as well as help my parents like they helped me all these years.”
While young people in Gulf states like Oman and Saudi Arabia may begin work in their teens and take service sector jobs, children raised in the UAE often do not enter the workforce until they complete their studies in their early twenties.
The new policy will benefit both pupils and employers, said recruiters.
“We’ve done a lot of research on this recently and what we find is both university and high school students continue to say they’re not prepared for the workplace,” said Radikha Punshi, the managing director at HR consultancy The Talent Enterprise. “For employers it allows them to connect a bit more to the education sector, so it’s long overdue.”
The decree is expected to boost Emiratisation and allow pupils to find a suitable career.
“The more exposure they have as early as possible, the more realistic they’re going to become and the more mindful they’re going to be about their studies,” said Hamza Zaouali, the head of Iris Executives, a recruiter specialising in Emiratisation. “The challenge with the school system is that we ask pupils to make lifetime choices without the experience to make these choices. This law means that they are going to have tools to make better decisions.”
However, recruiters cautioned that it will take time for the resolution to have an impact in the employment market.
“There’s currently a bit of an oversupply of experienced talent,” said Mohammed Osama, the general manager of The Gulf Recruitment Group. “You do have a lot of graduates, a lot of 20 or 22-year-olds who have already graduated with a bachelor’s degree who are willing to work part time just to get any work.
“It’s a good initiative, it should be there and will hopefully be beneficial when things pick up.”
Employers may be reluctant to invest resources in short term employees but could provide pre-placement offers so they can benefit, said Ms Punshi. She said the new policy will prepare the workforce for the hundreds of part-time positions needed at Dubai Expo 2020.
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Read more:
Let failing Emirati pupils fail so they may eventually succeed, say education experts
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Mohammed, who receives a monthly allowance of Dh1,000, said he would work for as little as Dh10 an hour in at a fast-food restaurant or as a sales clerk. “I am all for anything that will make me learn more,” he said. “I want to gain the experience, I would also get money and I think it will teach me how to better myself.”
Others were less sure. “I don’t think I would because I would rather focus on my education,” said Mohammed Alsemaan, a 15-year-old at Al Raha School who receives a monthly allowance of Dh1,000. “I need time more than money."
Experience, however, can be priceless.
“The fact that it’s not compulsory means it immediately gives a head start to the students with the best attitude,” said Mr Zaouali. “It gives the tools for the most mature people to really set the pace.”
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Slow loris biog
From: Lonely Loris is a Sunda slow loris, one of nine species of the animal native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore
Status: Critically endangered, and listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list due to growing demand in the global exotic pet trade. It is one of the most popular primate species found at Indonesian pet markets
Likes: Sleeping, which they do for up to 18 hours a day. When they are awake, they like to eat fruit, insects, small birds and reptiles and some types of vegetation
Dislikes: Sunlight. Being a nocturnal animal, the slow loris wakes around sunset and is active throughout the night
Superpowers: His dangerous elbows. The slow loris’s doe eyes may make it look cute, but it is also deadly. The only known venomous primate, it hisses and clasps its paws and can produce a venom from its elbow that can cause anaphylactic shock and even death in humans
UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
%3Cp%3ETotal%20trade%20in%20goods%20and%20services%20(exports%20plus%20imports)%20between%20the%20UK%20and%20the%20UAE%20in%202022%20was%20%C2%A321.6%20billion%20(Dh98%20billion).%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThis%20is%20an%20increase%20of%2063.0%20per%20cent%20or%20%C2%A38.3%20billion%20in%20current%20prices%20from%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20was%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%2019th%20largest%20trading%20partner%20in%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%20Q4%202022%20accounting%20for%201.3%20per%20cent%20of%20total%20UK%20trade.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
