Boss baby: UAE questions official for 'hiring infant executive'

An unnamed official from the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority was summoned for "clarification" on Wednesday over a comedic viral video, which prosecutors say suggested the department had appointed a baby as a top executive.

Earlier this week, a video clip was uploaded on the GCAA's social media pages showing eight-month-old Mohammed al-Hashemi greeting the authority's director general, attending meetings and talking with businessmen.

The baby is identified as being the GCAA's 'Chief Happiness Executive' in what is clearly intended to be a comedic video.

The Public Prosecution Office said in a statement that the footage "indicates that the baby has been appointed in an 'entertainment' position and it sees the need to, 'investigate the case with the concerned authority'", UAE news agency WAM reported.

Prosecutors did not name the official and no charges have been brought against them.

GCAA director general Said Mohammad Al-Suwaidi told local media that the agency has apologised for the confusion over the video, explaining that the baby was enrolled in the department's day-care program.

The video, which has since been removed, was made to boost morale in the GCAA office, he added.

"There is no truth to the rumour that the child has been hired," he said, according to Khaleej Times. 

The video generated a slew of comments from social media users, who apparently thought that a baby had actually been hired as a senior executive in the GCAA.

"This makes my blood boil. Qualified and educated Emirati men and women cant find jobs and you hired a baby! Consider me a child," one user wrote.