UAE aligns week globally to four-and-half work days
Eudore R. Chand
Abu Dhabi’s weekend of Formula 1 and celebration of speed got underway with a full display by the Red Arrows.
Jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team performed over the Corniche.
Thousands of people watched the world-renowned display team complete the display along the skyscraper-lined promenade of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
The Red Arrows’ Hawk jets flew as close as six-feet apart, at more than 350mph, during parts of the 24-minute show.
The display is one of several performed by the team during a major tour of the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, supporting British interests.
Squadron Leader David Montenegro, Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team and Red 1, said: "The Red Arrows' visit to Abu Dhabi is a key part of our global tour.
"The UK and UAE have strong, close links and this was represented in the desire for the team to perform a high profile display on the Corniche.
"The timing of the Abu Dhabi display is perfect – coming just before the Formula One race, where engineering and technology are also so crucial.”
The team fly past the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
ABU DHABI 8 December 2021: The UAE Government is to adopt a new four and a half day working week, effective from 1st January, 2022.
The move applies to Federal government entities and comes alongside new working hours, with Monday to Thursday workdays now starting at 7:30 am and ending at 3:30 pm, and Friday working hours from 7:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Alongside the move, Friday sermons and prayers across the UAE will be held from 1:15 pm. Government staff will have the flexibility to make arrangements to work from home on Fridays, as well as to arrange their working hours on a flexi-time basis.
The UAE is the first nation in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week.
The extended weekend comes as part of the UAE government’s efforts to boost work-life balance and enhance social wellbeing, while increasing performance to advance the UAE’s economic competitiveness.
Adopting an agile working system will enable the UAE to rapidly respond to emerging changes and enhance wellbeing in the workplace.
