UAE rains: Work from home says MohRE, Dubai Airport recommends metro use

Heavy rains lashed the UAE on Thursday, with some roads and areas seeing water-logging in the evening hours.

The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has predicted that the country will face intermittent rain showers until Friday, October 27.

The authority issued a warning, advising residents to be cautious and avoid flooded valleys.

Keeping in mind the inclement weather conditions, various arms of the UAE government have issued directives to employees.

Work from home on October 27

The UAE Council of Ministers issued a directive for remote work for Friday but noted this does not include emergency workers and federal employees who are required at the workplace.

However, the directive notes that work, classes at all federal government offices and schools will be conducted remotely on Friday.

Additionally, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) urged all private sector companies, to “apply flexible work patterns” on Friday, given the current weather conditions.

بناءً على توجيهات مجلس الوزراء تقرر أن يكون يوم غدٍ الجمعة 27 أكتوبر، عملاً عن بُعد لجميع موظفي الحكومة الاتحادية على أن تُستثنى من ذلك الوظائف التي تتطلب التواجد في مقر العمل، كما تقرر أن تكون الدراسة في جميع المدارس الحكومية عن بعد وذلك مراعاة للحالة الجوية التي تمر بها الدولة

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) October 26, 2023

“Necessary measures need to be taken by companies to ensure outdoor work, which is necessary to resume, complies with the occupational health and safety requirements,” MoHRE said in a statement on Thursday.

“Companies also need to ensure the health and safety of workers commuting to and from outdoor work locations,” the ministry added.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, also issued a directive on Thursday evening saying all government agencies in Dubai will have remote work.

تنفيذاً لتوجيهات سمو الشيخ حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، ولي عهد دبي رئيس المجلس التنفيذي، تقرر أن يكون العمل يوم غد الجمعة الموافق 27 أكتوبر، عن بُعد، نظرا للأحوال الجوية. يشمل هذا القرار الموظفين في جميع الجهات الحكومية في إمارة دبي على أن تُستثنى من ذلك الوظائف التي تتطلب…

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 26, 2023

Several private schools in Dubai notified parents of online school hours for Friday.

Getting to Dubai Airport

Passengers departing and arriving at Dubai Airports have been urged to use the Metro due to the probability of traffic congestion on roads.