UAE: Equal Pay for Men and Women!
Another astounding achievement by the United Arab Emirates government, this is a dream for all countries to have equal pay for men and women who are doing the same job! In the first place we should not discriminate genders and let us not discriminate at all. Women can do as much as men if not better! The UAE recognizes thus giving equal pay for all! The fight towards equality is still a long way but this sure is a big step.
A new UAE law guaranteeing fair wages for men and women in the private sector will go into effect. In April , 2018, the UAE Cabinet approved a draft version of the historic legislation. President Sheikh Khalifa released this decree. At the time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said it was a key step in the Emirates’ safeguarding of gender diversity. The current legislation specifies that if she does the same task, or another of equivalent importance, “women shall be given a salary equivalent to that of a male.” The revised directive, modifying a former federal law developed in 1980, seeks to allow more women to enter the private sector. In a directive issued on 25 August, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation launched procedures to ensure equal pay between men and women performing the same duties. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, president of the UAE Gender Diversity Board, has hailed the primary ruling. In the 2019 Gender Disparity Index of the United Nations Development Organisation, the UAE jumped 23 places, placing fifth in the Arab world and 26th globally.
When setting up the UAE Gender Balance Council in 2015, the target set by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was to be among the top 25 countries in the world by 2021. In its attempts to foster gender equality, the UAE has made major strides in recent years. In 2015, Emirati Women’s Day was introduced by Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, to acknowledge the crucial role of women in the region. The yearly anniversary coincides with the establishment of the General Women’s Union in 1975. In 2017 Sheikha Fatima, wife of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, was honoured by UN Women, a global advocate for gender equality.
After a declaration by President Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE struck a blow for inclusion by assuring that half of the 40 members of the Federal National Council were women. Since the most recent elections in October last year, the composition of the council is now evenly represented.
