|
Abu Dhabi: Bridging the public-private gap of benefits, including standardising holidays for both sectors, will help boost the Emiratisation drive in the private sector and banks, said government officials and human resources managers.
"Standard holidays for both the private and public sectors boosts Emiratisation and helps families get together," Saqr Gobash, Minister of Labour, told Gulf News.
Confirming that holidays are just one factor in the gap of benefits which should not be exaggerated, Gobash said he supported changing the government's holidays to match those in the private sector and not give longer holidays to workers in the private sector.
"We have to balance workers' rights and benefits and take into account the cost involved in each option for the employers. Higher productivity and shorter holidays are in the interest of the country," he said.
He emphasised that holidays must not be imposed on employers and lawmakers should consider views of the parties who pay the cost of these holidays before passing any changes into them. "The Ministry of Labour is tasked with enforcing the Labour Law, but it has no right to change holidays in the private sector as stated in Article 74 of the law."
The extensive benefits and easy hours of the government sector are so enticing that few Emiratis are tempted to join the booming private sector as jobs fetch comparatively lower pay, hours are longer and the workload harder, plus holidays are fewer, said Noora Al Budoor, manager of the employment and skills development centre at Tanmia, a government recruitment agency.
"The reality is that many Emiratis still prefer the government sector for the instant benefits of higher pay, job security and lower hours. Mostly, it's job security," said Al Budoor, citing some Emirati jobseekers who tell her that they would prefer remaining unemployed for 10 years rather than join the private sector.
Al Budoor, tasked with trying to train and help find employment for thousands of Emiratis, also advocates bridging the public-private sector gap. "I am extremely supportive of changing working hours and holidays to match the private sector. It is in the public interest to do this."
With the Central Bank granting employees of banks across the country a two-day Eid holiday, matching that of the private sector, bank officials appealed for equal treatment. The public sector was given a four-day holiday.
Ehab Hassan, head of the HR Group at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, said standardising holidays for the public and private sectors would contribute to the Emiratisation drive, solve chronic problems inflicting banks and raise workers' job satisfaction.
"With e-banking, telephone banking and ATM services being offered, bank officials can enjoy longer holidays without affecting the performance of banks," he said.
Central Bank officials were not available for comment.
However, businessmen believe that it should be up to bosses to determine holidays as these occasions mean more business for retail and certain other businesses.
By Samir SalamaAssociate Editor
Abu Dhabi Emiratis and expatriates are unanimous that both private and public sector employees should be granted equal holidays and weekends.
Private sector employees work longer hours, do more overtime and get shorter holidays than their peers in the government and local departments. This makes public sector jobs more attractive to Emiratis and encourages them to quit jobs in private firms, they argue.
Standard holidays for all sectors eliminate confusion and help people get together and plan ahead for outdoor recreation. It also promotes Emiratisation in the private sector and cuts down on people who feign illness to match holidays, citizens argue.
Ahmad Khalfan Mohammad Al Badi, an employee in the Ministry of Economy, said he has friends who are seriously considering leaving their jobs in the private sector because of their long work hours and short holidays.
"The disparity in holidays between the private and public sectors also disturbs family life. A man who is working for the government may not be able to enjoy a trip with his family if his wife is working for a private firm."
Abeer Mahmoud, a computer programmer, believes longer official holidays for the private sector could help increase the productivity of workers.
"Standard holidays support family get-togethers. It is an excellent idea giving the private sector employees equal benefits like their peers in the government. On many occasions my husband and I failed to enjoy our holidays because they are not standard," she said.
Al Taher Khalid Farah, a bank officer, said equal holidays for the private and government sectors is a great idea.
"Definitely, it is a good idea granting workers standard and equal holidays regardless of their place of work. But in the retail business, it is very difficult to close down. Retail shops have more business during holidays, so we can't work on the same schedule," he said.
Ahmad Abdullah Al Nowais, a bank officer, said: "In principle, employees in the government and private sectors must be treated equally. But holidays should be on a rotating basis so that our lives can go on."
Should both sectors be given equal number of holidays? Do you think fewer holidays affect employee performance in the private sector? Or do more holidays reduce a sector's efficiency? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
Your responses so far obviously come from employees with no consideration of the extra costs involved to employers. Private sector emloyees already get 30 days annual leave as well as the 10 days public holidays - and they want more? With all that time off they will next be asking for more money to spend in this added leisure time! They must reduce government holidays, not increase private ones.
Manfred
abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: October 06, 2008, 09:22
Definitely yes, this would be a great step towards improving the employee performance. After a holiday a fresh mind is back at work and it will boost the economy in terms of improved output from the employees.
Vinu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 05, 2008, 08:34
In many countries, it has been proven that a fewer holidays results in very bad employee productivity. Private sectors in UAE should increase its holidays and employee benefits to match that of Government (Public) companies. Also all companies in UAE should have "Work-from-Home" facilities like the Western countries.
Charles
MA,USA
Posted: October 05, 2008, 08:12
Both sectors shall be given equal number of holidays, provided public sector matches the salaries of private sector and other benefits such as overtime allowance, accommodation, car, Annual Air tickets for employee and family (if on family status) and children's education etc.
P.A.Kaleem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 05, 2008, 08:08
Its Unfortunate that we have distinguish Private and Public sector differently, Although all the people working are equal so they should not have a different policy for holiday both sectors should be considered equally and not only holidays, also the rules for employment like gratuity, sick leave, medical etc should also be consider equally.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 05, 2008, 07:48
Talking about more holidays private sector should be given more since they work for long hours so definitely they have a right to enjoy more holidays.
Kavita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 05, 2008, 07:25
There must be equalization with holidays to private as these will surely pave way for a planned family union, and better working environment.
Shibu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 05, 2008, 06:50
Send us your comments
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Gulf News may edit comments for length and clarity but will not change the tone of the message. Comments will only be accepted if all fields (including name) are filled correctly and the message isn't abusive, defamatory or offensive. The Gulf News website will only print your first name along with your comment. Please state in the message if you wish to remain anonymous. All comments sent may be forwarded for use in the Gulf News newspaper.
|
