Two years ago, when equal pay for women was addressed in draft legislation that had been approved by the UAE Cabinet, it was already a visionary step towards gender equality. That draft has now become law. And the law sends a clear message about the UAE's prioritisation of social and economic parity and equal empowerment for women.
For the same work, men and women will now draw the same salary. Across the world, women of even one earlier generation but in a vastly different time period, have spent their lives fighting for this important principle.
Equal pay is perhaps the most significant tool to empower women, and in private sector workplaces this will be a boon. This law is a landmark move in many ways. Most importantly, it tells women in no uncertain terms that their talent and skills are as valuable as those of their male colleagues.
It is acknowledgement and proof that the government values the contributions of women in the same way as it does the work done by men.
It is this progressive lens, this deeming equal the contributions of men and women, that has enabled such a historic move to come into play in 2020, as the country plans for where it will be in the next 50 years.
The new law will state that "women shall be granted a wage similar to that of a man if she performs the same work, or another of equal value".
A premise of equality such as this charts the course for the country's future. An important consequence of this move will be how it affects young people and how they grow in the workplace to view the worth of their female colleagues. It will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of the workforce to maintain an attitude of fairness and equal responsibility, with the salary scales not tilted towards any one gender.
The move sends a powerful message about the country's prioritisation of economic empowerment. Particularly for the young, the next generation of women and men graduating from university, this law states clearly the direction of the country and it delivers an assurance to all women in the workforce of a further dismantling of a glass ceiling.
While the UAE government is well aware that more needs to be done in the next 50 years to bridge gender disparity, this step is in line with the country's broader policy
In recent years, there have been plenty of markers that point to the UAE being a progressive nation and making further headway in that direction. The UAE is already ahead when it comes to women in government. There is equality in the Federal National Council that holds 20 female and 20 male elected representatives – topping the global ranking for women in parliament.
While the UAE government is well aware that more needs to be done in the next 50 years to bridge gender disparity, this step is in line with the country's broader policy and initiatives in moving towards a balanced and fairer society. The equal pay law is crucial towards levelling the playing field for women. In the long run, with the country's determination to keep making progress, whether economic or social, this law could be one among a number of efforts to uplift and empower all its people, equally.
If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
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Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
