UAE offers civil servants year-long paid leave to go into private business

UAE civil servants can now take up to a year’s leave to start their own businesses.

The workers will get half their salaries during this period, while retaining their government jobs. The idea is to encourage more citizens to start their entrepreneurial journeys.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the policy recently.

“Our goal is to encourage the youth to take advantage of the huge commercial opportunities offered by our national economy,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

The year-long sabbatical is among the paid leaves that will be offered to Emiratis working in the government sector—who are willing to start their private businesses.