Latest news with #AbdullahAlFalasi
Daily Tribune
16-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Dubai Introduces Four-Day Work Week for Government Staff This Summer
The Dubai Government has announced a four-day work week with shorter working hours for many public sector employees during the summer months. Starting July 1 until September 12, government staff will be split into two groups. The first group will work eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday, enjoying a full day off on Fridays. The second group will work seven hours from Monday to Thursday and then a half-day on Fridays. The initiative is part of the 'Our Summer is Flexible' program, first launched as a pilot last year by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department. The trial aimed to test new ways of enhancing employee well-being and workplace efficiency during the hottest months of the year. Abdullah Al Falasi, Director General of the department, said the program reflects Dubai's commitment to quality of life and sustainability. 'We want to create a work environment that supports employees' well-being while making the government sector more efficient and resilient,' he explained. Feedback from employees played a key role in shaping the new schedule. Many supported shorter hours during the intense summer heat, especially in August and September. Based on the strong response and positive results, officials decided to continue the initiative for a second year. The move is also part of Dubai's broader vision to position itself as one of the world's best places to live and work, offering flexible and forward-thinking work models that match the needs of modern life.
The National
15-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Dubai announces four-day working week for government employees over summer
The Dubai Government has announced a four-day working week with shorter daily hours for many government staff this summer. Employees will be divided into two groups. The first will work eight hours from Monday to Thursday with Friday as a full holiday, while the second will work seven hours from Monday to Thursday and work a half-day on Fridays. The initiative will run from July 1 to September 12. It follows a pilot plan last summer, launched by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, called Our Summer is Flexible. Staff were asked to fill out a survey on summer working hours, and proposals to cut office time in August and September received great support. The human resources department monitored observations and feedback, concluding that the pilot was successful enough to run for another year. Abdullah Al Falasi, director general of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said of the pilot: 'We aim to improve the quality of life of employees and enhance the sustainability of government resources, which ultimately contributes to consolidating Dubai's global position as a preferred city for living and working by providing a new model experience that integrates the elements of quality of life.' A growing trend? Sharjah introduced a four-day working week in 2022, after the UAE government switched to a four-and-half day week in January that year. The biggest trial of a four-day working week took place in the UK in 2022. Afterwards, most of the 61 companies involved pledged to continue with the policy, while a third said they had switched to the new model permanently. None of the 2,900 trial participants wanted to return to a five-day week and all the companies involved reported lower stress and better health among employees.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EHRDC signs MoU with CDA to enhance employment opportunities for Emiratis in Dubai
Dubai: The Emirati Human Resources Development Council (EHRDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Community Development Authority (CDA) to enhance employment opportunities for Emiratis in Dubai and increase their contribution to the Emirate's economic and social progress. The partnership marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and promoting shared objectives in community and workforce development. The agreement was signed by H.E. Abdullah bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the Dubai Government Human Recourses and Deputy Chairman of the Emirati Human Resources Development Council in Dubai and H.E Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority. Under this MoU, both entities will work together to support Dubai's broader strategy to empower national talent by launching targeted programs and initiatives, fostering robust synergy among government entities and creating inclusive job opportunities for Emiratis across all sectors. H.E. Abdullah bin Zayed Al Falasi, said: 'The partnership underscores our ongoing commitment to transforming the leadership's vision into impactful initiatives that directly benefit Emiratis. It is a pivotal step towards activating institutional partnerships that open new professional horizons for Emiratis. We are also working to transform community councils into vibrant hubs that connect job seekers with potential employers, enabling talent discovery, matching them with the right opportunities, promoting equal opportunity, and improving the overall quality of employment outcomes. H.E Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid from CDA, said: "The partnership marks a strategic step toward enhancing institutional collaboration in community empowerment and opening practical pathways to opportunity, it stems from a firm belief that the individual is both the heart and purpose of development, a principle that aligns with Dubai's vision of building a cohesive, productive, and sustainable society. We are confident that this collaboration will serve as a launchpad for impactful initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes and meet the aspirations of community members, ensuring their long-term empowerment and well-being.' The MoU aims to lay the foundation for deeper collaboration between both parties to design and deliver targeted programs that support the integration of Emiratis into the workforce. Through personalised career guidance, specialised training, and tailored employment pathways, we aim to equip national talent with the requisite tools to thrive and succeed across various sectors. The collaboration further aligns with CDA's empowerment strategy to improve citizens' quality of life and enhance their economic participation, in line with Dubai's long-term development vision. This MoU exemplifies a leading model of effective integration between government entities focused on Emiratisation and community development. It echoes Dubai's commitment to building a responsive and forward-looking employment ecosystem, in line with the objectives of the 'Dubai Social Agenda 33' and the 'Dubai Economic Agenda D33,' both of which emphasise increased Emirati participation in economic development and strengthen job market stability for them. A key component of the partnership will involve organising employment days at neighbourhood councils. These events aim to enhance community engagement and strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders by enabling Emirati job seekers to explore roles aligned with their qualifications and meet prospective employers in a supportive, opportunity-driven environment. Additionally, the collaboration will facilitate improved coordination between the parties through the sharing of relevant data and the development of joint action plans. Together, EHRDC and CDA will provide targeted support that addresses both the professional and personal needs of Emirati job seekers, in line with the CDA's empowerment strategy.
The National
17-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
UAE's largest aid ship for Gaza docks in Egypt's Al Arish
Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza A UAE aid ship carrying more than 5,800 tonnes of critical supplies for Gaza docked in Egypt's Al Arish port on Sunday, in the latest show of solidarity with the besieged enclave. It is the largest aid shipment sent by the Emirates under a humanitarian campaign – called Operation Gallant Knight 3 – launched following the outbreak of the war with Israel in October 7, 2023 and comes as efforts intensify to extend a fragile ceasefire in place since January. Abdullah Al Falasi, executive director of Dar Al Ber Society, a leading non-profit organisation in the UAE which is supporting the aid drive, emphasised the crucial role being played to help Gazans facing chronic food shortages and limited access to health care services. 'Our society contributed to providing medicine worth Dh14 million to the affected people in Gaza,' said Mr Al Falasi. The 5,820 tonnes of aid includes food, medicine, medical equipment and shelter materials. The seventh such aid vessel set sail from Al Hamriya Port in Dubai last month. The major aid delivery – collected with the support of a number of charitable organisations – aims to provide much-needed respite to embattled Palestinians during Ramadan, against the backdrop of a continued humanitarian crisis. The UAE previously sent 300 tonnes of essential food supplies to Gaza on aid flights in February, ahead of the start of the holy month. Mohammed Al Shareef, a spokesman for the Operation Gallant Knight 3 campaign, told The National that the aid will be stored in Al Arish before being loaded on to lorries and driven across the border to Gaza. 'It is the largest aid shipment from UAE to our brothers and sisters in Gaza. We continue to intensify our efforts to deliver vital supplies to Gaza Strip in quick and organised procedure,' Mr Al Shareef said. Launched in 2023 by President Sheikh Mohamed, Operation Gallant Knight 3 has been carried out in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent and humanitarian and charitable institutions in the UAE. More than 65,000 tonnes of aid has been delivered through air, and across sea and land, with close to 600 air trips, seven transport ships and nearly 3,500 lorries used to carry goods from Egypt into Gaza. Additionally, an air drop operation has delivered more than 3,700 tonnes of humanitarian aid by parachute in inaccessible areas. At least 48,524 Palestinians have been killed and 111,955 wounded since the deadly conflict began, with the majority of Gaza's 2.2 million population being displaced as many areas have been reduced to rubble by persistent Israeli air strikes. Mr Al Shareef previously told The National that aid deliveries from the UAE to Gaza were crucial because the picture on the ground in Gaza was so difficult. 'It is very important because the situation there is really bad,' he said. 'After this long period of war … many people are living in a very bad situation.' Mr Al Shareef said they expected quicker access and 'more quantities' of aid to reach those who needed it now the truce was holding. 'We expect to have more lorries going inside,' he said.
