The employees in Dubai who would like to avail a sick leave, has to pay AED 60 for the doctor's note.
A decree has com into force today. Hence all the employees in Dubai would be required to pay AED 60 along with the doctor's consultation fee, which mostly comes upto AED 50.
Over the last few years, only the workers of the government sector had to pay a fee of AED 50 for the doctor certified sick leave. But now the new decree is applicable to everyone.
This decree has been taken as a caution against the abuse of sick leave. Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, director of health regulation at the DHA, said the AED 60 charge was to stop abuse. "However, the DHA is always open to suggestions and comments and we are currently reviewing the charges," said Dr. Ibrahim.
The alternative steps was to fine the doctors with AED 5000, who were giving hand written notes instead of making use of the online system. After some investigations, the DHA also realized that some practitioners were issuing fake sick notes either for cash or to help their family or friends.