UAE gratuity, Saudi citizenship and footballing greats were all in the news this week.
As it emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo could be joined by Lionel Messi in Saudi Arabia news emerged about the Portugal stars Riyadh home.
We also learned about gratuity calculations in the UAE and a major change to citizenship in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE shared news on how it helped to track down and arrest “the World’s most wanted human trafficker” and we got a glimpse of how Abu Dhabi would look after a blizzard.
With other news about a megaproject in Saudi Arabia and clarification to alcohol rules in the Kingdom and the UAE it has been a busy week in the Middle East.
If you missed the biggest stories of the week check out the Arabian Business guide to the stories making the headlines.
UAE announces private sector gratuity will not include unpaid leave days
The UAE grants employees to receive an end-of-service benefit in a lump sum called gratuity.
An employee is entitled to receive their gratuity if they have resigned from a job, or if they have been asked to leave. However, gratuity is calculated differently for private sector employees.
“A full-time employee in the private sector who has completed a year or more of continuous service is entitled to an end-of-service gratuity at the end of their service, however, unpaid leave days are not included in calculating the gratuity,” the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said in a Twitter post.
Snow in Abu Dhabi: Viral video shows landmarks covered after blizzard
Posted on its social media channels, the Visit Abu Dhabi video shows buildings such as Ferrari World on Yas Island and the iconic Aldar HQ building covered in heavy snow.
Puzzled residents and holidaymakers looking to book some winter sun should not be alarmed, however, there has not been any unexpected snow in Abu Dhabi. The video is merely a promotional video for the city’s winter tourism campaign.
Major Saudi Arabia citizenship rule change
King Salman bin Abdul Aziz has issued a royal decree that defines who can claim Saudi citizenship.
Under the new rules, the children of Saudi women who are married to expat men can now apply for citizenship after the age of 18.
Saudi Crown Prince announces kingdom’s fifth giga-project
The project is aimed at contributing to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position itself regionally and internationally as a leading tourism and cultural destination, and was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Diriyah, which will showcase 300 years of the kingdom’s history, will include the Turaif District UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aside from Diriyah, PIF also overlooks four other giga-projects NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya and Roshn.
UAE announces Holocaust to be taught in schools
The move is part of the Gulf nation’s efforts to position itself as a regional peacemaker. In 2021, the UAE also set up the region’s first Holocaust memorial exhibition opened in Dubai. Since then, seven Holocaust survivors have been brought to the country to speak on the horrors of the Nazi genocide.
The UAE’s Education Ministry is reportedly developing the new curricula, which will be taught to children in both primary and secondary schools.
Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s $300k a month hotel home in Saudi Arabia
The Four Seasons Riyadh is housed inside one of Saudi Arabia’s most recognisable buildings, the 302m Kingdom Centre building.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his entourage, made up of family, friends and staff, will take 17 rooms at the property. The total cost is estimated at more than $300,000 a month. Chief among the accommodations is the two-storey Kingdom Suite occupied by Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez.
Dubai pubs cut prices after alcohol tax change
Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR), has implemented a price reduction across all Mr. Toad’s Pub and Kitchen outlets located in Premier Inn Hotels across Dubai as well as Seafarers Bar and Kitchen Jafza, the company said in an emailed statement.
ELR, which owns and operates a wide portfolio of restaurants, cafes and bars across the Middle East, Australia, Asia, USA and East Africa, said the move is in line with the recent directives from the Dubai Government relating to the removal of the 30 percent municipality tax.
Lionel Messi to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in $299m a year deal: reports
The Daily Mail reports that Messi’s father, Jorge, is in Riyadh for talks with Al Hilal about a stunning $299m a year contract.
Not only would it put Messi in direct competition with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, it would see his earnings surpass those of the newly signed Al Nassr forward. Citing a report by Mundo Deportivo, the Daily Mail says the offer on the table is for just under $300m a year.
Saudi Arabia clarifies duty free alcohol sales rules
It was reported last year that the Kingdom had considered the sale of alcohol in duty free areas of selected airports, but the idea has been quashed by Saudi’s tax and customs authority.
In a post on its website on Friday, Zatca clarified the rules for establishing duty free shops in selected airports in Saudi Arabia.
UAE arrests world’s “most-wanted human trafficker”
The notorious people smuggler, known for his cruel and violent treatment of migrants, was arrested in Sudan after the UAE police conducted a nine-month investigation and tipped off Interpol.
Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam was the subject of two Interpol red notices, by Ethiopia and the Netherlands, for migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other related crimes.
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