UAE industries where you can change jobs any time

The Labour Law recognises that certain professionals shall be free to change their employment at any point in time. This is in accordance with Article 2 of the Ministerial Order No (13) of 1991 on 'The organisation of the transfer of sponsorships of non-national labours the rules governing the same' which states:

"Non-national labourers may be allowed to transfer one job to another and hence transfer of their sponsorship if they fall under the following categories:

a) Engineers

b) Doctors, pharmacists and male and female nurses

c) Agricultural guides

d) Qualified accountants and account auditors

e) Qualified administrative officials

f) Technicians operating on electronic equipment and laboratories

g) Drivers who are licensed to drive heavy vehicles and buses, in the case of transfer of sponsorship from a private firm to another or from a private firm to another or to a government department."

UAE issues new rules for online payments

The UAE Central Bank on Wednesday issued new regulations for "stored value digital payments".

In a statement, the central bank said that the rules were finalised after an extensive consultation process over many months with the relevant stakeholders.

The objective of the regulations is to facilitate 'robust adoption of digital payments across the UAE in a secure manner', it said.

The Governor of the Central Bank Mubarak Al Mansoori said: "The issuing of these regulations is a landmark in supporting the government of UAE's vision to position the country as a global leader in digital services, via a knowledge-based and innovation drove the economy. The regulations are also designed to foster financial inclusion in the UAE."

The statement said that the regulations specify four licence categories under which entities can provide digital payments services. They are: (a) retail; (b) micropayment; (c) government; and (d) non-issuing.

"Each category is subject to a particular set of regulatory requirements with a view to providing protection for the UAE Payment System and Consumers," it said.

"The central bank recognises that Fintech development will play an important role in shaping the future of the financial services industry in the UAE. The central bank stands ready to support this innovation," the statement further said.

"The central bank will continue to take a lead role in implementing this new regulatory framework for digital payments with the aim of positioning the UAE as a global leader in trusted digital payments services, which are accessible to all consumers in the UAE," it said.

Unique opportunity to partner with Malayalam Romantic Film Project

Unique opportunity to partner in the making of a refreshing romantic Malayalam movie. Renowned filmmaker Shashilal Nair will produce and direct this project in the beautiful state of Kerala India. A wide variety of Rewards is offered to those who participate in the project. Shashilal has arranged that this project will offer genuine and hands-on training in the various facets of filmmaking - camera, lighting, set design, choreography, dialog, editing, music and lyrics, direction, production, acting and playback - so if you are interested in learning any of these skills first hand from a successful and senior experienced film producer-director - now is your chance. Besides the legendary direction skills of Shashilal, the film project has signed super talented and successful music director Karthik Raja, who is the son of musician maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Karthik's chart-busters include Ullaasam, Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar, Kadhala Kadhala and Dumm Dumm Dumm among others. He also debuted in Hindi films with Grahan which won him the R.D. Burman award for the best new talent.

About Director "Shashilal K. Nair"

Shashilal K. Nair is an Indian film director and producer. He begins his career as an assistant in films like Shankarbharanam, Sargam and Kaam Chor. He made his directorial debut with the film Bahy Ki Awaaz in 1985. Which was described by the Directorate of Film Festival as a "Strong comment on bride burning and dowry", and since then has directed eight motion pictures, which include Karamdaata (1986), Parivaar (1987), Angaar (1992), One 2 Ka 4 and Ek Chhotisi Love Story (2002). For his special effects in Angaar, he received the National Film Award for best Special Effects, for "his absolutely convincing miniature work in the film".

Story

The movie is set in the backdrop of Kerala. It is a love story. At this stage, the story line is highly confidential. All that can be shared is that it is destined to be a super hit. Shashilal, Karthik and team certainly know how to entertain the audience!

Anti-Fraud Law got approval in U.A.E

A new law aimed at combating counterfeit goods and other commercial fraud has been approved by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The new law, issued by Shaikh Khalifa on December 12 and published in the official gazette, replaces the Commercial Fraud Law and is intended to enhance the existing intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement mechanism.

The law, which took effect immediately, imposes tougher penalties on counterfeiters. The maximum penalty under the new law is a jail term of up to two years and/or a fine of as much as Dh1 million.

Legal experts said the law enhances brand owners’ rights, citing articles that make it an offence to possess counterfeits, even where the IPR holder is unable to prove that the counterfeiter intends to sell them.

A federal committee to combat commercial fraud will be set up. It will have sweeping powers to close down offending businesses, be they inland or in free zones, and bring to task officials of these firms, once the existing draft bill turns into law, according to Federal National Council.

The law will cover fraud in goods, contractual jobs and services offered by businesses across the UAE, including free zone companies.

The committee, which will report to the Ministry of Economy, will work out anti-fraud strategies and policies, study reports of fraud submitted by competent authorities and take decisions on it. Subcommittees with powers to close down offending businesses for up to two weeks; order confiscating of goods and reach a settlement with businesses involved or refer cases to the court will also be created in each emirate.

Subcommittees will follow up destruction, recycling or return of confiscated goods to exporters. Substandard goods may be seized for a month by these committees and a decision to get these goods released is taken by the court after a settlement is reached over how goods may be disposed of and the fine paid.

The new law reserves the maximum penalties for pharmaceutical and food products, but even those who deal in counterfeit goods outside of these categories may be fined up to Dh250,000. The authorities are also empowered to close stores that sell counterfeit goods, and repeat offenders may have their trade licences cancelled.

“Anyone who deceives or attempts to deceive another party by means of fraud in human food, animal feed, medicines, crops or natural products may be punished. Anyone promoting by any media means or possessing fraudulent and/or deceitful products may also be punishable under this law,” states the law.

The same penalty would be imposed on offenders who fail to obey decisions by subcommittees regarding human food, animal feed, medicines, crops or natural products. Legal experts said a jail term of up to six months and a fine amounting to two times the price of the goods involved would be imposed in case of other fraudulent goods. The only law on commercial fraud which was in practice in the country was drafted in 1979. It called for a maximum jail term of two years and maximum fine of Dh10,000 for cheating a customer by delivering goods that are different to what is ordered

 

Legal experts said the law is meant to step up efforts to fight fraud and trade in fake goods, with unscrupulous inland and free zone traders facing up to two years in jail, a Dh1 million fine and being named and shamed at their cost.

Traders in counterfeit goods will be penalised even if buyers knew about these goods ahead of the transaction, stated the law.

The law empowers the court to order confiscation or destruction of food, medical drugs, crops and tools. Under the law, the court may also order publishing the convictions in two local Arabic and English dailies with the convicts bearing the cost.

The court may also order the business of offenders to be closed down for up to six months. If a business is a department store, only the offending department will be shut down. Repeat offenders may face revoking of their trading licences and double penalties.

Fraud may also be applicable in cases where products have been adulterated or an attempt to adulterate products is detected.

Mandatory Dubai health insurance deadline getting extension

The Dubai Health Authority has made the decision due to the high influx of customers flocking to insurance companies in the last few days and in consideration to those who were not able to get the insurance in time due to one circumstance or another.

One of the key differences of Dubai's health insurance regime is that employers are not required to provide coverage for the dependents of their employees. ... Failure by employers to provide insurance carries fines of between Dh500 and Dh150,000.

Approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Health Insurance Law No. 11 of 2013 came into effect on 1 January 2014 (Law).  The aim of the Law is to create an integrated health system for Dubai, based on a sustainable financing system that supports the competitiveness of Dubai and protects the rights of all participants.  The Law phases in the requirement for all employers in Dubai to have in place compliant health insurance cover for their employees.  It applies to all participants in the health insurance arena including health service providers, insurance companies, insurance brokers, claims administration companies, employers, sponsors and beneficiaries. 

Whilst the Law came into effect on 1 January 2014, the provision of health insurance cover will only become mandatory for:

•     companies with more than 1,000 employees, from 31 October 2014;
•     companies with 100-999 employees, from 31 July 2015; and
•     companies with less than 100 employees, from 30 June 2016.

The roll out phase also provides that dependents of sponsors, including domestic workers, must also be covered for the basic health coverage by 30 June 2016.

What does this mean for me as an employee based in Dubai?

The Law’s jurisdiction spreads across the entirety of the Emirate, including its development areas and free zones so eventually all of the nearly three million residents of Dubai, nationals and expatriates alike, should be covered.  That said, the minimum cover offered will differ between residents and nationals with the later also having access to additional preventative and therapeutic health services.  The schemes for both nationals and residents will at a minimum cover general practitioner visits, emergency treatments, referrals to specialists as well as surgical, investigative and maternity procedures. 

What are my obligations as an employer?

Employers are required to put in place health cover for their staff that meets the minimum requirements of the Law.  The Law stipulates that employers cannot simply pass on the cost of the cover to their staff and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has made clear that it will treat any attempts to do so seriously.  As a means of ensuring cover is put in place and maintained, the renewal of an employee’s visa will be subject to the employee having health insurance in place.  Employers have to provide a basic health coverage with an annual premium anywhere between Dh500-Dh700 and a maximum insurance cover per person per annum of Dh150,000.

One of the key differences of Dubai’s health insurance regime is that employers are not required to provide coverage for the dependents of their employees.  By making family cover compulsory, companies could be biased towards hiring single executives to save costs which could, in turn, shift the balance of Dubai’s demographic make-up away from its current family-orientated focus.  Instead, cover for dependents falls to the sponsor themselves.  So, where a dependent does not receive cover from an employer, it becomes the responsibility of the sponsor to put in place and maintain the required cover.

Failure by employers to provide insurance carries fines of between Dh500 and Dh150,000.  Repeated breaches carry a maximum fine of Dh 500,000.