50 percent of UAE federal staff to return by June 7

In an announcement early today, the UAE government has decided to raise the level of staffing and ministries and federal authorities by 50 percent of its capacity. This latest development is by taking into consideration of their full abidance by all COVID-19 countermeasures.

The new rule will be effective from Sunday, June 7 in all UAE government departments. This is expected to quickly bring back all governments’ works to normalcy.

“The moves fall within the efforts to restore normalcy of government work and the gradual return of employees and services,” added the announcement. The government went forward with this decision following the successful return of federal staff by 30 percent last week.

The decision also clearly identifies the categories to be exempted from returning to offices, and who will continue to work remotely. These include pregnant women, and people with compromised immunity & chronic diseases, including asthma, diabetics, provided they have approved medical reports confirming their illnesses.

Elderly employees and female employees catering for children in grades 9 & below and children of determination whose conditions entail constant care are also exempted from the new rule. Also excluded are employees in shared accommodation with people who are most susceptible to health risks and are in constant contact with them.

The decision emphasizes on ensuring the full readiness of all workplaces. The employees will be received in terms of all continuing enforcement of health mandates taken nationwide. This includes primarily physical distancing norms and the availability of a conducive work environment and enabling technological infrastructure for those working remotely to perform their assignments in the best possible manner. A flexible attendance system also is to be applied to ensure the safety of all employees upon arrival at and exiting from their offices.

With all government offices running and malls and shops opened in full capacity, the UAE is ready to get into post-corona world a little quicker than expected.