In the wake of the severe flooding caused by thunderstorms on Thursday, the UAE has announced remote work for certain federal employees on Friday, October 27. The directive, issued by the UAE Council of Ministers, ensures that classes in all federal schools and operations at government offices will be conducted remotely. However, employees whose physical presence is essential at the workplace are exempted.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has also encouraged private companies to adopt flexible work patterns due to the challenging weather conditions. The ministry emphasized in a statement, “Companies must take the necessary precautions to make sure outdoor work aligns with occupational health and safety standards.” Furthermore, businesses are being advised to guarantee the safety of workers traveling to and from outdoor job sites.
The aftermath of the thunderstorms witnessed widespread waterlogging, leading to traffic snarls on several roads. In response, the police distributed safety guidelines throughout the nation.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has further directed all governmental entities in Dubai to implement remote work policies. In tandem with these measures, many private schools in the city notified parents that online classes will be in session on Friday.
Due to the unfavorable weather, many schools had already cut short their classes on Thursday, and various activities were either postponed or shifted online.
Dr. Ahmed Habib from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) spoke to Khaleej Times, indicating that the country is under the influence of an extended surface low-pressure system. He warned that sporadic rains of different intensities are anticipated in the forthcoming days.