Yep, it’s actually a law that was passed yesterday.

Employees will be given time off work to read. And to further encourage the practice, it also exempts taxes / fees for distribution, publishing and printing of reading material.

Its aim: to achieve the UAE’s vision of a knowledge-based economy.

The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced the law while His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, called it “an unprecedented cultural and legislative initiative”.

It’s incredible for many reasons but how many people will actually use that time to read?

It is probably the best thing book enthusiasts could have heard all day, but we’re pretty sure there will be a number of people who will skive off work to do something else instead. 

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The positive outcome of the law is that it will encourage people to pick up a book, help in the production of more Arabic books and perhaps even bring international authors to the city more often.

Some other things to note:

1. Sheikh Mohammed has said that books that are no longer wanted must not be destroyed

Instead they should be reused or donated.

2. The private sector will be encouraged to invest in the establishment of libraries

This will be done by providing the private sector with discounts, incentives and facilities.

3. A national fund will be set up to promote reading initiatives

This will also be used to organise a month each year dedicated to promoting literature and to assist media organisations so they can advertise the importance of books.

Main image credit: Abhi Sharma

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