This week the spotlight is on education, employment, and immigration developments in the United Arab Emirates, where Ministerial Decision No. 46/2017 has been issued changing the payment terms of substitute teachers in public schools. Nominees with the required specialisations and qualifications will be selected to be a part of a substitute teacher incentives system. Highest priority for this programme will be given to Emirati nominees, followed by children of Emirati women, and then Gulf citizens. The decision has also stated substitute teachers at nurseries will be paid 500 AED per day (for a maximum of five days per week). Substitute teachers will also be paid 100 AED per school periods taught, up to a maximum of 30 periods per week. However, rates will be different for those teaching certain subjects The decision states that the Ministry of Education must include mechanisms for establishing a database of substitute teachers, from which the minister has the right to add, remove or update subjects in this resolution’s third article, in addition to the value of fees paid for specific school activities and subjects. The decision states substitute teachers will be called on to cover for an absent regular teacher, and that human resources procedures set by the Federal Authority for Human Resources must be followed when choosing these teachers.

Elsewhere, a fake story doing the rounds on social media that visas for Pakistani nationals had been suspended has been officially denied by the UAE General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. The story was even picked up by TV channels who quoted officials from the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, who said the visa service has been suspended until further notice, although those who already had a visa would still be able to travel. It was claimed the suspension was temporary and would possibly be changed in the new year.