In an effort to encourage government employees to create their own enterprises, the UAE announced a year-long sabbatical vacation beginning January 2, 2023.
According to The Khaleej Times, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, presented the notion in July as a way to encourage Emiratis to create their own enterprises while still working for the government. According to the Emirates News Agency, it is a world first. Sheikh Mohammed stated that the purpose of this program is to encourage young people to take advantage of the UAE’s business prospects.
Emiratis will get half of their salaries during their sabbatical break. The leave must be approved by the director of the federal agency for which the individual works and may be combined with unpaid extended leave and annual holidays.
The website of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, http://www.fahr.gov.ae, provides information on the requirements and prerequisites for obtaining an Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment for UAE residents who are federal government employees.
Acting Director-General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, Laila Obaid Al Suwaidi said, “The Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment reflects the pioneering vision of the UAE leadership, which aims to motivate the UAE national cadres to approach the world of entrepreneurship.”
She further said, “The authority worked on preparing a guide for Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment, regulating the mechanism and procedures for granting ministries and federal entities the Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment, to their national employees wishing to launch their own projects. In coordination with the Ministries of Economy, Human Resources, and Emiratisation, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has also prepared a detailed guide for economic projects and establishments that contribute to the revitalization of the country’s economy, including details that help the authorities when considering their employees’ requests for Entrepreneurship Leave for self-employment.”
Source – IE
