Salik IPO size increased due to high demand and safety of workers top priority in the UAE, our editors comment on the top stories of September 16

AND SALIK OPENS THE GATES TO MORE: The anticipation was building even before the IPO subscription process started. And the moment that Salik did, investors were gunning for more shares. The intense interest was centred around on whether Salik would raise the offer size from 20 per cent – and if so, by how much. Today’s announcement that the issue would be hiked to 24.9 per cent will come as a bonus for subscribers hoping to get allotted a bigger share. Salik sure has captured the investor attention. Now, the next milestone to watch out for is how much has the over-subscription been. (Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS IN UAE IS TOP PRIORITY: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced the end of Mid-Day Break, which restricted workers across construction sites from work during afternoon hours. The decision had come into force on June 15 and continued for 92 days, banning work in uncovered areas from 12.30pm to 3pm daily. It is heartening to note that construction companies across the country took good care of health and safety of their workers with compliance rate reaching 99 per cent, thanks to the inspection campaigns by the ministry. The mid-day break is an integral part of the UAE’s laws to provide a safe working environment for workers and protect them from the risks of exposure to high temperatures during the summer months. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

THANKS ROGER FOR KEEPING US ENTERTAINED: When a glittering career as big as Roger Federer ends, it leaves a huge vacuum in sport, especially tennis. Federer has been a class apart. He had such mesmerising effect on his rivals that for long they never believed he could be defeated. At 41, Federer’s days on tennis courts were numbered but just the way he wanted one final fling with Wimbledon, even the fans would have liked to see him win another crown on the hallowed grass courts of the all England clubs. It is time to say a big thank you to the magician with a racquet. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE’S ACTIONS: Rapper Cardi B has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour charges stemming from a 2018 brawl that she was involved in. The social media star said in a statement that “maturing is being accountable for your actions”. By admitted to doing something wrong and paying the price for it, she has set an example for other celebrities who think their money and fame gives them permission to break the law. In the larger scheme of things, her crime was minor to what many others have done - R Kelly is one big example. (Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)