Good morning from The National on June 5, 2026.
Here are the latest developments in the Emirates:
Strict new measures over salary delays for workers will “tighten oversight”, the UAE's labour ministry said on Thursday as it revealed that it had sent 60 million warnings to private sector companies last year to urge them to pay on time.
Changes introduced on June 1 to the country's Wage Protection System will see authorities acting sooner against firms flouting the rules.
The Ministry of Human Resources set out a list of escalating penalties for late-paying employers, from fines and suspending the issuance of work permits to seizing assets and imposing travel bans for repeated delays, at a media briefing.
The ministry said more than Dh37 billion in wages are paid each month by about 600,000 private sector companies, highlighting the potential cost of late payment to a huge number of workers.
The previous 15-day grace period for non-compliance had been cut to 10 days, effective from the payment of June salaries on July 1, under the revised regulations.
Read the full story from Ali Al Shouk here
Following medical advice on responsible use of weight-loss pills a 'critical priority'
UAE residents have been urged to take weight-loss pills responsibly and only on medical advice, after another version was approved for use this week.
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy will be available in the country on prescription in the coming days after being given the green light by health authorities on Monday. Eli Lilly's Foundayo was approved in the UAE last month.
Injectable versions of the medicine have been widely prescribed by doctors and are easily acquired, medics say, leading to renewed advice about its use.
Patients have been warned to avoid the potential dangers of misuse and to take the latest pills only for their intended purpose.
A senior executive at Novo Nordisk is urging underweight or normal weight patients not to take the pills and says sharing guidance with doctors who specialise in eating disorders is “a critical priority”.
Read the full report from Nick Webster here
UAE action plan to reduce clothing waste must address 'environmental cost' of throwaway culture
Sustainable businesses have backed a UAE government drive to tackle textile waste but they warned a shift in attitude is required to address the “environmental cost” of a throwaway clothing culture.
Naseej, the National Initiative for Textile Circularity, was launched this week with a mission to reduce the 220,000 tonnes of textile waste produced each year.
An inaugural community event will take place today at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, after which a series of national programmes will be introduced to support sustainable textile practices, strengthen collection and recycling infrastructure, and advance research.
“Naseej feels like a long-overdue conversation finally being given a national platform,” said Clarisse May, founder of sustainable innerwear brand Rawform. “Textile waste in the UAE has been a problem for years and 220,000 tonnes a year is not a small number.”
The UAE is not alone in grappling with the issue. Every year, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally, according to figures shared by the UN last year.
Read more from Katy Gillett here
Fact of the day
The UAE's annual midday break for outdoor workers during the summer months will begin on June 15 and run until September 15. Read more here
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