The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development will launch its third annual Arabic short story competition this month.
This year the required length and content of the stories has been modified to enable more people to enter.
The competition will have two categories with writers creating short stories aimed at two age groups: seven to nine and 10 to 15. The first category will be limited to 2,400 words; the second to 4,000 words.
Stories should be original, unpublished content, and should not have been previously entered into a competition.
Entries "should be aiming at bringing out culture, ethical issues or self improvement", said Fatima al Nusoor, the vice president of the social research department at the ministry.
"We want them to send the message without a preaching style."
While the competition is open to all, Ms al Nusoor said: "Schools and colleges from all around the UAE can participate in this competition."
Three prizes will be awarded in each category.
The first prize is Dh20,000, second prize is Dh15,000 and third prize is Dh10,000.
Also, there will be 10 Dh5,000 prizes awarded for worthy works.
"The contest aims to provide opportunity for young innovators," said Khalifa Buamim, the director of government communications for the ministry.
The deadline for entries is March 30. Writers can submit their manuscripts online at www.mcycd.ae.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.