The UAE has announced that it will begin offering year-long paid leave to UAE citizens working in the government sector who wish to start their own businesses and become self-employed, starting on January 2, 2023, according to a report by The Khaleej Times.
1 Year Paid Leave For UAE Workers
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, announced that the country’s cabinet had approved a new initiative to encourage the creation of more businesses. This announcement came just days after the UAE unveiled a reformed social welfare program for its local population.
وأقررنا اليوم ضمن المجلس قرار إجازة التفرغ للمواطنين العاملين في الحكومة الراغبين في إدارة أعمالهم الحرة .الإجازة تبلغ عام كامل بنصف الراتب مع الحفاظ على الوظيفة ..هدفنا تشجيع شبابنا على الاستفادة من الفرص التجارية الضخمة التي يوفرها اقتصادنا الوطني .. pic.twitter.com/3UpZ8PG8yY
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) July 7, 2022
“We are looking to encourage our young people to benefit from the major opportunities offered by our national economy,” the UAE president said in a tweet.
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As per the new rule, those who are willing to start their businesses will be paid half of their salaries for the one-year duration. The leave will be approved by the head of the federal authority the employee works for, and can be combined with unpaid leave and annual leave.
A UAE government official stated to The Khaleej Times that they will work to establish partnerships with business incubators and leading private sector companies to enhance the capabilities of UAE citizens who have been granted “entrepreneurship leave” for self-employment. The official added that the government will also support these individuals in the areas of entrepreneurship, such as establishing and managing companies.
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UAE national employees of the federal government can find information on the conditions and requirements for obtaining an Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment on the website of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources at www.fahr.gov.ae.
