New UAE contract fines, Dubai Mall name change, visa stamps scrapped, rain warning, Beyoncé at Atlantis – 10 things you missed this week

The UAE announced that assaulting an employee in the city can lead to a fine of AED100,000 as well as a term in prison and news broke about the scrapping of visa stamps in Dubai.

The rain dominated headlines, with downpours cancelling concerts and closing roads.

At the start of the week celebrities descended on Dubai to experience the opening of the new Atlantis The Royal hotel.

As well as dazzling rooms and Instagram-friendly design, the hotel threw a launch party with a VIP-only performance by Beyoncé.

Arabian Business has been bringing you the news as it happens. Check out our pick of the 10 biggest stories of the week.

Dubai Mall changes name after 15 years

The Dubai Mall changed its name, but some customers struggled to see the difference.

In a short video posted on TikTok the new name was announced. The Dubai Mall is now called Dubai Mall.

The minor name change eliminated one word from the title – ‘The’.

UAE warns employers to change work contracts

As per the new UAE labour law, employers are to transfer employees to a limited-term contract. The deadline for transfer is February 1.

Following the deadline, employers will be subject to a fine or penalty for the contracts not transferred.

Further details in regards to the penalties, fines are yet to be announced.

UAE announces AED100,000 fine, jail time for assaulting employees

Assaulting an employee in the UAE could lead to an AED100,000 fine followed by jail time, the country’s Public Prosecution announced via Twitter.

Jail time could be as long as six months, the public prosecution said, adding that this is applicable to anyone found guilty of “using force, violence or threats on a public servant a person in charge of a public service, with the intention of unduly compelling him to do or abstain from any act falling within his job functions, without reaching his goal.”

The public prosecution also added: “If he reaches his goal, he shall be sentenced to detention for a term of no less than one year. The penalty shall be detention for a term no less than one year and a fine not exceeding AED100,000.”

Dubai scraps UAE visa stamps, replaced with Emirates ID

UAE residence visas will no longer undergo the stamping procedure when renewed or issue, Dubai residents have reported.

The UAE visa will directly be linked to an individual’s Emirates ID and will no longer require a passport with the nation’s visa sticker which details out the residency and its validity.

The Federal Authority for Identify, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) had earlier announced the unification of the two separate applications, in May 2022.

Beyoncé in Dubai: $328,767 per minute show and $100,000 a night hotel room

American music superstar Beyoncé took the stage for the first time in five years at Dubai’s latest ultra-luxury hotel, Atlantis The Royal.

It was a performance worth the wait, and one the invitation-only audience will remember for a lifetime. Three costumes, an entire squad of backing dancers, a cameo appearance and an on-stage cameo from daughter Blue Ivy Carter to perform Brown Skin Girl, fire, water, smoke and fireworks aplenty.

Just as dazzling as the concert performance was Beyoncé’s $100,000 a night hotel room.

Rain causes disruption across the UAE

Heavy rain in the UAE disrupted the country throughout the week.

Concerts were cancelled, roads were closed and motorists were warned to drive safely.

Schools in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah switched to remote learning due to concerns over safety amid unstable weather conditions.

Dubai Pearl demolition revealed in exclusive pictures, videos

Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City saw demolition on the Dubai Pearl development.

The demolition of the Dubai Pearl had begun in November, first hand witnesses earlier told Arabian Business, with deconstruction equipment spotted at the site.

The project, first announced in 2002, included a 73-storey building, but has been put on indefinite hold since 2009, due to lack of investors in the residential skyscraper.

UAE calls for domestic workers to be paid online

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has called on employers to register domestic workers in the Wage Protection System (WPS) to benefit from its innovative solutions as well as pay their wages in an easy and convenient manner.

In cooperation with the UAE Central Bank, the Ministry provides all employers with the option to pay the wages of their domestic workers electronically through banks, exchange houses or financial institutions accredited to provide the service by the Central Bank.

Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Domestic Workers at MoHRE, said, “Enabling the employers to pay the wages of their domestic workers through the Wage Protection System comes under the Ministry’s efforts to develop services that meet the aspirations and needs of the employers, including the national and resident families, in a manner that is consistent with the legislation regulating the work of this category.”

New UAE tax: Fashion, luxury brands rush to set up local shop as trade fees surge

The UAE is expected to see an imminent rush of international players in fashion and beauty products either setting up bases or striking partnership deals with local retailers in the wake of the country’s decision to slash the threshold value for cross border trade (CBT) attracting customs tax, industry experts said.

Fashion retailers such as Centerpoint online, 6thstreet, namshi and offline players are expected to be the major beneficiaries of the new policy change, as fashion and beauty accounts for approximately 70 percent of UAE’s cross border trade.

The policy change, which came into force from the beginning of the year, will also lead to local retailers embarking on major product and marketing initiatives to enhance value propositions to attract and retain consumers looking for local alternatives.

UAE slashes business fees

The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has reduced the fees for 14 main and sub services and waived the fee for one service as of January 1st, 2023.

The move aligns with the objectives of the ‘’Make in the Emirates” initiative to create an attractive business environment for local and international investors and support entrepreneurship and SMEs in the industrial sector by reducing the cost of doing business in the UAE.

MoIAT said that in line with the announcement of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, the service fee reduction will encourage sustainable industries by promoting the deployment of advanced technology that lowers emissions and enhances the circularity of the sector.