Salary increment for Dubai government employees

Mohammed's order reflects his interest in human resources as a top priority of Dubai government

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the payment of annual performance-based increment for employees of the Government of Dubai for last year.

The said increment covers the past year - 2010, according to a press release by the Dubai Government Media Office (DGMO).

"His Highness' order reflects his interest in human resources as one of the top priorities of the government. He further underlines the awarding of sincere efforts backing excellence adopted by the Government of Dubai to advance the performance of its departments to the highest levels," the release added.

Last year's performance results showed a high level of maturity, flexibility and resilience to domestic as well as global changes while keeping high performance, according to the release.

Mohammed attends Rashid Awards for Academic Excellence

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the Rashid Awards for Academic Excellence, organised by the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association on Wednesday afternoon.

Also present at the ceremony were Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Commander General of Dubai Police Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Director of Dubai Ruler's Office Lt General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, Dubai Attorney General Essam Issa Al Humaidan, dignitaries, senior officials and heads of cultural and educational institutions in the country.

Mohammed orders monthly payment for national fishermen

The order of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - Decree No. 4 of 2011 regulating the monthly salaries of national fishermen in the emirate of Dubai - has been implemented.

The chairman of the Dubai Fishermen's Cooperative Association Brigadier Mohammed Saeed Al Marri thanked Sheikh Mohammed for his continuous support for national fishermen in Dubai.

The new rules stipulate that benefits will be restricted to UAE citizens who have been members of the Dubai Fishermen's Cooperative Association for more than 15 years, with the added condition that they are not currently receiving a salary or pension from the local or federal government.

As per Article IV of the decree, fishermen entitled to benefits must own a boat and have registered it with the relevant authorities prior to August 1st, 2008.

UAE Labour Law on gratuity and severance pay of employees

Limited contract:

According to UAE Labour Law, you are entitled to 21 days salary for every year of employment less than 5 years, and 30 days salary for each year of employment over 5 years, up to a maximum of 2 years’ salary. Limited contract holders shorter than 1 year not entitled for gratuity. If the employer dismissed you and revoked the contract without the reasons provided in the article (120),they shall compensate the worker by a pay of (3) months or the period remained from the contract , whichever is shorter … unless otherwise provided by the contract

Unlimited or indefinite contract holders

With  notice period specified in UAE Labour law (usually 30 days) then the amount is according to the following:

Employed for less than 1 year - no gratuity

Employed between 1-3 years - 7 days for each year of employment (1/3 of the limited contract amount)

Employed between 3-5 years - 14 days for each year of employment (2/3 of the limited contract amount)

If you employed longer than 5 years - 21 days for each year up to 5 years, and 30 days for each year after 5 years (same as for limited contract holders). Maximum limit is of 2 years’ worth of salary. 

Unless the employer has not fulfilled their obligations according to the UAE Labour Law, or the employer has assaulted the employee (Article 121 conditions for permission to leave employment without notice). You might have to file a case with the Ministry of Labour in the UAE to claim your gratuity in this case.

Gratuity is calculated on base salary only, any additional allowances are ignored. Employees who are entitled to a gratuity will have it calculated pro-rata for part-years of employment. It is common for employees in the UAE to be on a limited contract which is renewed repeatedly after completion of the fixed term. The gratuity applicable in this case should be that for a limited contract. But check carefully what your contract says.

If a contract specifies a possible notice period for terminating before completion, then it is still a limited contract and you might not be entitled to any gratuity if you do not complete the contract, even if you give the correct notice as specified in the contract. However, such contracts do usually include a clause to detail what gratuity will be paid in those circumstances, and those clauses should have legal validity.

Being required to give a period of notice of renewal or non-renewal of a fixed term contract does not make it an unlimited contract. It is still a limited contract, and the gratuity calculations for a limited contract should still apply. If an employer claims otherwise, contact the Ministry of Labour to at least ask for clarification, and possibly file a complaint.

Locals to get 3-7% and expats 5% salary hike

Emiratis will get seven per cent while expatriates will receive five per cent salary hike based on their outstanding performance under the recently-announced increment for Dubai government employees, a senior official said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday ordered the payment of annual performance-based increment for employees of the Government of Dubai for last year.

Amal Bin Adi, Director-General of the Human Resources Department of Dubai Government, told 'Emarat Al Youm' that increment will be given on basic salary.

She said those Emiratis whose performances just meets the expectations will get three per cent salary hike of their basic salary.

The Human Resources Department also emphasised that those employees who have completed six months in the job and those who are on duty and not resigned from the work will qualify for the increment.

“The increment will be given to employees of 42 departments and institutions of the Dubai government under the provisions of the human resources law of the Government of Dubai No. 27 of 2006, as amended and applied performance management system to the staff of the Government of Dubai,” she said.
Employees who completed six months in the job and those on duty and not resigned will qualify for the increment

Visa, ID to be linked in Ajman from June 1

Renewal or issuance of residence permits would be linked directly with ID card registration in Ajman from the June 1, the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) has announced.

The Gulf Today quoted a senior EIDA official making a statement to this effect.

In a statement, Abdul Aziz Al Maamari, director of Public Relations and Marketing, Eida, said this would mark the fifth stage of the operation in the Emirate.

The issuance of ID card would be subject to completing preventive medicine procedures, and the residence visas would be issued only if the applicant submits the ID registration documents are submitted along with other regular documents.

Al Maamari clarified that the registration receipt with the ID seal will be one of the main documents required by Ajman residents to obtain or renew residency permits.

For those residents whose permits will be issued or renewed in Ajman and who want to obtain an ID card, the official said that they should go to an authorised typing office in the Emirate, the customers will then need to go to the Preventive Medicine Centre in Ajman for medical examination before heading directly to the Eida’s Ajman Registration Centre.

Eida has already started linking ID card registration with residence issuance or renewal procedures through registration centres annexed or close to preventive medicine centers in UAQ, Fujairah, RAK, Dibba Al Hisn, Al Dhaid and the Western Region.

Resident Visa for your Parents - UAE Rules

Criteria for sponsering

UAE expatriates, holding valid resident visas having a minimum salary of AED 6,000 with accommodation or AED 7,000 without accommodation can get one year renewable resident visas for their parents or parents-in-law.

As per new regulations, you have to sponsor both your mother and father together and show proof that you are their sole provider and that there is no one to take care of them in your home country. However, if your parents are divorced or one is deceased, you should carry documentary proof, when visiting DNRD to obtain the entry permit visa, which is the first stage before you can apply for a residence visa. You also need to obtain a medical insurance policy for each parent with minimum coverage of AED 600 per year.

Documents required for entry visa

• Typed application form

• Original passport of sponsor

• Passport copy of parent/s & 1 photo

• Proof of relationship from your embassy/consulate attesting both relationship and that you are sole provider for your parent/s

• Copy of job contract for the sponsor or salary certificate from employer.

A new requirement is submission of DEWA bill and your tenancy contract showing you have adequate space in your house for your parents (minimum 2 bedroom apartment). You need to get your tenancy contract stamped by the Land Department, certifying it is minimum 2 bedroom. In case your tenancy contract does not mention that you have at least 2 bedrooms, then you need to get an affidavit from your landlord and submit this as well.

Procedure:

• Take the documents and go to General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai. Submit along with a letter from your side appealing on humanitarian grounds for entry visa for your parent/s. Enclose copies of all above documents along with your contact numbers. The Approval Committee will either confirm or reject your application within two weeks. If approved, go to next step.

• Have a registered typist complete the form after paying the fees.

• Go to the residency section of DNRD and hand in the documents.

• Entry Permit will be sent by Empost usually within 48 hours, or if you have applied for urgent visa, then you should receive it from the counter in a few minutes.

Fees:

- AED 5,000 refundable deposit (keep receipt safely for renewal or reimbursement, as this is paid back only when the visa is cancelled or in case your parent dies)

- AED 110 application fee + typing centre fee (or pay AED 100 more for urgent application)

Convert entry visa to residence visa for parents

Once your parents enter the country with the entry visa, you must convert it to a residency visa no later than 60 days from the date of entry.

Documents required for residence visa

• Application form & 3 photos of parent

• Original passport of parent/s and sponsor

• Original entry permit

• Health card or medical insurance policy for parent/s

• Refundable deposit receipt

• Original job contract or salary certificate of the sponsor

Fees:

- AED 110 residency fees each year + typing centre fee

- AED 100 urgent application (optional)

- AED 10 Empost fees

Procedure:

• Do a health check up and obtain a medical card.

• Take the documents and go to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai.

• Have one of the typists there complete the form for you after paying the fees.

• Go to the residency section and hand in the documents.

• The passport/s with the residency visa stamp will be sent to you through Empost.