News

Chance of a lifetime for Dubai’s blue-collar workers to be entrepreneurs

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3 years ago

March 15, 2022

Staff Reporter

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Consultancy firm A&A Associate offers cost of business licence to winners of Holi reality show

A Dubai company is offering three talented blue-collar workers this Holi the chance of a lifetime to become entrepreneurs.

Not gold, not cash, not handouts but free licence to operate a business anywhere in the UAE. That’s exactly what consultancy firm A & A Associate is dishing out in prizes to winners of the reality contest it is hosting at a Jebel Ali labour accommodation on Thursday, March 17 ahead of the Indian festival of colours.

“We wanted our colour for this Holi to be blue, literally! And so we thought of empowering at least three blue collar workers of Dubai this year with exactly what they might need to chase their dreams,” said Robin Philip, Director, Assurance & Business Advisory of the Dubai-based firm that specialises in business setup across the UAE.

“One challenge we have often felt most who harbour dreams of becoming an entrepreneur encounter is getting started and if we can help at least three less privileged in a city like Dubai with all the necessary firepower right at the start of their entrepreneurial journey, then I think it’s a job well begun,” added Philip, who helped establish A&A’s business setup division in December 2019 buoyed by the then rising business sentiment, almost nine years after the company first began operations as an auditing and accounting firm in Al Qiyadah.

“We have been setting up close to 200 new businesses in the country every month and are expecting that number to even double later this year. And yet most of them are either from the affluent class or with high disposable incomes.

Nobody thinks about those who earn a lot less and lack the confidence perhaps to start a new business. We wanted to stoke a fire in them and supercharge their dreams of becoming their own bosses,” said Philip, whose company is offering three business licences in prizes for winners of this Thursday’s first-of-its-kind reality show open to Dubai’s low wage earners.

Pakistani worker Mohammed Ehsan, who is helping A&A Associate organise the show at Kingpin Properties’ Hamad Buti camp as its camp boss, said this was an unbelievable opportunity for his peers. “I have lived in this country for six years, but I have never seen or been a part of something potentially life-changing like this for people like us. This is so exciting,” said the 38-year-old of the competition that will see 10 select workers demonstrate a special talent in front of a packed house at his camp on Thursday.

Entry to the Holi Reality Show is free for all blue-collar workers of Dubai earning less than Dh3,000 and registrations are open until Wednesday, April 16 on website: https://www.aaconsultancy.ae

News

UAE flights cancelled or delayed after Israel-Iran escalation: What travellers need to know

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1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Several flights operated by UAE-based airlines were cancelled or delayed on Friday following Israel’s attack on Iran and the subsequent closure of regional airspace. Airlines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, and flydubai, have announced changes to flight schedules, citing safety concerns and airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi’s national carrier cancelled and delayed multiple flights to Tel Aviv after Ben Gurion Airport shut down temporarily.

Cancelled:
- EY595 (Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv)
- EY596 (Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi)
Delayed:
- EY593 / EY594 – by approx. 4 hours
- EY597 / EY598 – by approx. 12 hours

Etihad is assisting affected passengers and advising them to check real-time flight status on its website or app. The airline warned that the situation remains fluid, and more disruptions may follow.

Emirates

Dubai-based Emirates cancelled several flights to Tehran, Baghdad, Basra, Amman, and Beirut on June 13 and 14. Affected services include:

June 13: EK943–EK946 (Baghdad, Basra), EK979–EK980 (Tehran), EK903–EK906 (Amman), EK953–EK958 (Beirut)
June 14: EK977–EK978 (Tehran)

Passengers connecting through Dubai to destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon are not being accepted for travel from their origin point until further notice.

flydubai

Low-cost carrier flydubai confirmed suspensions and reroutes for flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, following airspace closures.

Some flights were cancelled, rerouted, or returned to their departure points. Passengers are urged to keep their contact details updated and check the latest flight status on flydubai.com.

Dubai Airports Advisory

Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) reported cancellations and delays due to airspace restrictions over multiple countries.

Airport authorities are working closely with airlines to support travellers and advise passengers to check with their airline for updates before leaving for the airport.

What You Should Do:

Check your flight status regularly via the airline’s website or app
Contact your airline or travel agent for rebooking options
Ensure your contact details are updated with your airline
Arrive at the airport only after confirming your flight’s status

Business

UAE firms face fines from July for missing mid-year Emiratisation target

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1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Private sector companies in the UAE with 50 or more employees have until June 30, 2025 to meet their Emiratisation target for the first half of the year, or face financial penalties starting in July, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has warned.

What’s required?

Companies must increase the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs by at least 1% relative to their current skilled workforce, while maintaining any previous Emiratisation levels already achieved.

What happens if they don’t?

Failure to meet the target will result in mandatory financial contributions (effectively fines) that will be collected starting July 2025. The exact penalty depends on the gap in compliance.

MoHRE urges action and reporting

MoHRE is also encouraging Emirati citizens to report non-compliant companies or unethical hiring practices. Reports can be made through:

Call centre: 600590000
MoHRE app or website

Benefits for compliant firms

Companies meeting or exceeding targets may qualify for:

Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
Priority in government procurement contracts
Membership in the Tawteen Partners Club
These benefits are part of the Nafis programme, which also connects employers with a large pool of qualified Emirati candidates.

Progress so far

As of May 2025, more than 141,000 Emiratis were working in the private sector across 28,000 companies, a record high, according to MoHRE.

The Ministry said it remains confident in the private sector’s commitment to Emiratisation and praised companies already contributing to the national strategy aimed at boosting economic growth and workforce diversity.

News

How Dubai Metro’s new AI robot is going to make your commute smoother and safer

Published

1 day ago

June 13, 2025

Michael Gomes

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If you ride the Dubai Metro regularly, here’s some good news: a new AI-powered robot is now working behind the scenes to make your daily journey safer, faster, and more reliable.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a smart robot called ARIIS (Automated Rail Infrastructure Inspection System) that autonomously checks the tracks and metro infrastructure, eliminating the need to stop trains or close lines.

So what does that mean for you as a passenger?

Fewer delays: With faster inspections and better planning, there’s less chance of sudden disruptions or maintenance-related delays.
Safer rides: The robot can detect early signs of damage or wear that humans might miss, helping prevent issues before they happen.
Smoother journeys: Better track maintenance means less noise and vibration, making your metro ride more comfortable.
More reliable service: The system helps keep the metro running on schedule, so you’re less likely to miss that important meeting or connection.

And the best part? It all happens quietly in the background, without affecting daily metro operations.

This upgrade is part of Dubai’s push to lead in smart city innovation. By utilising AI and robotics, the city not only ensures the safety of public transport but also maintains its world-class status for residents and millions of others who rely on it every day.