Parking around schools in Dubai could soon become far less stressful after the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) signed a major new partnership with Parkin Company PJSC to simplify parking subscriptions across the emirate.

The new collaboration introduces a digitally integrated system designed to make parking applications faster, smoother, and more convenient for students, teachers, and educational staff.

Goodbye paperwork, hello instant verification

Until now, applicants had to rely on:

• Manual approvals from schools
• Document submissions
• Eligibility checks handled separately

Under the new system, KHDA and Parkin will integrate their platforms to allow real-time eligibility verification, dramatically reducing administrative steps while maintaining strict data privacy standards.

Parking discounts of up to 80%

The initiative also includes heavily discounted parking packages for educational institutions and students:

• Dh100 per month
• Dh1,000 annually

According to Parkin, this represents savings of up to 80% compared to standard parking subscriptions.

Support beyond just parking

The company said the partnership also strengthens support around schools during:

• Peak pick-up and drop-off times
• School events
• High-traffic periods

For parents, teachers, and students navigating Dubai’s busy school zones, the latest move could mean one thing: less paperwork, smoother parking, and fewer daily headaches.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has unveiled strict new rules requiring private sector companies to pay employee salaries on the first day of every month starting June 1, 2026.

The move, introduced under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, is part of a wider push to strengthen wage protection and improve labour compliance across the UAE.

Salaries must be paid on time

Under the new regulation:

• Salaries for the previous month must be transferred through the approved Wage Protection System (WPS) or another authorised payment platform.
• Any payment made after the due date will officially be considered delayed.

The ministry also stated that companies must provide proof and documentation confirming salary transfers.

What happens if companies delay salaries?

Authorities outlined escalating penalties that become more severe the longer salaries remain unpaid.

From Day 2:

• Companies enter electronic monitoring
• Warning notices are issued

From Day 5:

• Suspension of new work permits may begin
• Employers are formally notified to clear the unpaid wages

From Day 11:

• Administrative fines apply for repeat violations
• Companies may be downgraded to the third business classification category

From Day 16:

• Labour disputes may be automatically registered for workers
• More permit restrictions could follow, especially for larger companies and sectors such as:
  • Construction
  • Transport
  • Cleaning
  • Security
  • Recruitment services

From Day 21:

For companies employing 50 or more workers, repeated violations could lead to:

• Referral to public prosecutors
• Asset seizure orders
• Travel bans on company officials

When is a company still considered compliant?

The ministry clarified that businesses remain compliant if they transfer:

• At least 85% of total wages are on time

Employees also won’t be classified as unpaid if missing amounts are linked to legally documented deductions.

Some sectors exempt

The decision excludes:

• Short-term permits under three months
• Fishing boats
• Citizen-owned taxis
• Banks
• Places of worship

The UAE has long pushed for stronger worker protections, but this marks one of the toughest enforcement frameworks yet for salary delays.

Residents across the UAE are preparing for an extended holiday after authorities officially announced the Eid Al Adha break for both private and public sector employees.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed that private sector workers will receive a four-day paid holiday starting Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, May 29. Normal work will resume on Monday, June 1. A five-day paid holiday was announced earlier for public sector employees.

Moon sighting officially confirmed

The holiday announcement follows the UAE’s official confirmation of the Dhu Al Hijjah crescent moon sighting on Sunday evening.

Authorities said the sighting was verified through specialised committees and observatories using advanced astronomy technology, officially declaring Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah 1447 AH.

As a result:

• Day of Arafah will fall on May 26
• Eid Al Adha will begin on May 27

Schools could enjoy up to 10 days off

There’s more good news for families.

The Ministry of Education confirmed that schools will close from May 25 to May 29 for the third-term midterm break, with classes resuming on June 1.

Private schools in Dubai will follow the same calendar, while some schools in Sharjah could see breaks stretching up to 10 days, including weekends.

Travel rush expected

With long weekends lining up for offices and students alike, travel demand is expected to surge as residents begin planning holidays, family gatherings, and Eid celebrations.

For many across the UAE, the countdown to one of the year’s biggest holidays has officially begun.