Balcony barbecue’ fine fixed at Dh500 --Trakhees Commences Campaign for Misuse of Balconies and Damage to Buildings Facades

Trakhees Community Conformance Division (CCD), Department of Planning & Development – aims to maintain the aesthetic appearance of residential compounds in particular and of Dubai in general. To ensure the commitment of residents in adhering to the rules and regulations applicable within its jurisdiction, CCD has undertaken a comprehensive community-based awareness campaign among all users of these complexes which includes a range of awareness-raising posters and brochures in five languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, and Chinese, all containing the following instructions: 

• - Do not install satellite dishes on the facades of buildings and balconies
• - Do not use balconies as places of storage for any purpose other than seasonal furniture
• - Do not shake or hang sheets, clothes or curtains or rugs or mops or laundry on balconies or railings of homes
• - Do not light barbecues on balconies of apartments

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness in all segments of society, among residents or visitors of these complexes by reaching them in their place of residence. The outcome will be to preserve upscale appearance, which is characteristic of the Emirate of Dubai by reducing the off-putting appearances which adversely impact the overall aesthetics. The fine for misusing your balcony or damaging the façade of the building in Trakhees-supervised residential communities will be Dh500 per offence.

In a statement the authority said initially officers would be warning residents not to misuse their balconies, set up barbecues, or fix any satellite dishes, and those failing to follow the rules will be fined Dh500.

Areas under Trakhees’ supervision, as per Degree No 22, includes, but not limited to Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Heights Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Lakes Tower, Jebel Ali Downtown, International City, Discovery Gardens.

Last week Community Conformance Division (CCD), Department of Planning & Development of Trakhees has informed residents not to fix satellite dishes on the facades or balconies of their buildings; not to use balconies as places of storage for any purpose other than seasonal furniture pieces; not to hang sheets, clothes or curtains or rugs or mops or laundry on balconies or railings of homes and not to have barbecues in their balconies.

Public and private sector to be closed from December 1-3

The Ministries and public institutions will close on Thursday, December 01, 2011, and resume on Sunday, December 4, according to the circular issued on Friday by Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

According to the circular, the Islamic New Hijri Year 1433 holiday has been moved to Thursday, December 1, as it coincides with the National Day holiday from December 2  to December 3, 2011.

Al Qattami congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Members of Supreme Council, Their Highnesses Rulers of emirates, UAE people, Arab and Muslim countries, on advent of the new Hijri Year and UAE National Day anniversary.

Holidays for private sector

Next Thursday,  December 1, 2011 will be a paid holiday for all workers of the UAE's private sector to mark the Islamic New Hijri Year 1433, the Ministry of Labour said in a statement.

The New Hijri year holiday was moved by the Ministry to next Thursday - December 1.

Next Saturday December 3, 2011 was also announced by the Ministry as a paid holiday for all workers of the UAE's private sector in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the UAE's National Day, according to the Ministry's statement.

The Ministry extended greetings and best wishes to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His HIghness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Members of Supreme Council, Their Highnesses the Rulers of the emirates, the UAE People and Arab and Muslim countries, on advent of the new Hijri Year and the occasion of the UAE national day.

Bank holiday

Banks will close their branches on Thursday, December 1, 2011, to mark the 40th anniversary of the UAE National Day as well as the New Islamic Hijri year, the Central Bank of the UAE announced in a notice.

"Banks are required to ensure that their ATMs are properly stocked with cash at all times," the Central Bank's notice said

"UAE Consumer Rights: Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 Replaces Old Rules"

UAE Consumer Rights: Federal Law No. 15 of 2020 and DET (2025 Update)

The original Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 has been repealed and replaced by Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection (amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2023) and its Executive Regulations (Cabinet Decision No. 66 of 2023).

1. The Competent Authority (Dubai)

The "Department of Economic Development (DED)" is now part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Old Authority (Article)	Current Authority (2025)
Department of Economic Development (DED)	Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector handles consumer issues.

2. Key Updates and Changes to Rights

The core rights remain (safety, knowledge, choice, etc.), but the new law greatly enhances them:

Old Concept (2006 Law)	Current Legal Reality (2020 Law & 2023 Regs)
Scope: Mainland only.	Expanded Scope: Applies to all goods and services sold in the UAE, including Free Zones and e-commerce platforms registered in the UAE.
Privacy: Not explicitly covered.	Data Protection: Consumers have the explicit right to protection of their privacy and data security. Suppliers are prohibited from using consumer data for promotional/marketing purposes without consent.
Warranties/Remedies: Basic rights to repair/refund.	Enhanced Remedies: Suppliers must repair or replace a defective good/service without charge. The warranty period is extended for the time the product is under repair or delayed due to lack of spare parts.
Harmful Conditions: Not detailed.	Void Contracts: Any contract clause that harms the consumer, grants the supplier a unilateral right to terminate/amend the contract, or exempts the supplier from their legal obligations is null and void by law.
Pricing/Payment: General pricing rule.	Clear Pricing & No Hidden Fees: Suppliers cannot increase the price if the consumer pays by credit card (a major consumer-friendly change). All invoices must be in Arabic (other languages optional).
Penalties: Less stringent.	Strict Penalties: Misleading advertising can result in a fine of up to AED 2 million and/or imprisonment of up to two years.

3. Current Complaint Process (Dubai DET)

The process of talking to the retailer first remains mandatory, but the official channels are modernized:

Old Contact Details (Article)	Current Dubai DET Contact Channels (2025)
Call 'Ahlan Dubai': +971 600 545555	Unified DET Call Centre: 600 54 55 55 (Still the primary number)
Email: consumerrights@dubaided.gov.ae	Current Email: contactdet@dubaidet.ae
Digital Channel: Website/Personal Visit	Preferred Digital Submission: Submit complaints via the Dubai Consumer Rights website or WhatsApp Chat (08:00 - 20:00).
Resolution Time: Aim to resolve most complaints within 30 days.	Current Goal: Resolutions are often reached within 7 days for eligible complaints.

Crucial Advice for Consumers: Always ensure you have a dated, detailed invoice in Arabic (which can include another language) and that the product's condition (new, used, or repaired) is clearly stated.

 

Pregnant staff can get 15 days off before delivery

Fatwa says any sick leave taken before that date should not be included; Maternity leave must be 60 days with full salary
Pregnant female workers in the UAE are entitled for 15 days off before delivery and any sick leave taken before that date should not be included, according to a the country’s top Islamic legislation body.

The Fatwa and Legislation Department at the Ministry of Justice was responding to a query by a government institution on whether sick leave  taken by a pregnant female employee should be included in her pre-delivery leave.

“The maternity leave must remain at 60 days with full salary for two months and the pregnant employee is entitled for a pre-delivery leave of a period not exceeding 15 days,” the Department said in a new fatwa (Islamic edict).

“A sick leave taken by pregnant women must not exceed one week and must be approved by an authorised doctor…this period should not be included in the pre-delivery 15-day leave for pregnant employees.”

If sick during annual leave, you get extra days off

Employees falling ill during their annual leave must be compensated for the duration of the sick leave given to them by authorised doctors, according to a new fatwa (Islamic ruling) in the UAE.

The Fatwa centre at the Ministry of Justice issued the new edict in response to a query by a local government department about a female employee who was given a 26-day annual leave, during which she fell ill.

The department said the employee presented a medical report showing that she had received treatment for 20 days during her annual leave and that she asked the department to compensate her for the sick leave days.

“A sick leave and a normal leave should not be linked…in case the sick leave happens during the normal leave, then it must be considered as a sick leave, which must be deducted from the normal leave.”