The UAE’s food and beverage (F&B) industry has welcomed the move by the country to implement a four-and-a-half day working week for federal government employees and switch weekend days.
Under the landmark move – the UAE is the first nation in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week – Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday will form the new weekend.
Paul Clifford, group editor for ITP Media Group’s Hospitality group, which includes Hotelier Middle East and Caterer Middle East said the industry is hoping the move will result in a boost in profits, given there’s likely to be an extra half-day of weekend for people to enjoy – particularly so if, as is widely expected, the private sector follow suit.
“If private companies with western staff offer that in 2022, it’s got to be a good thing for revenue,” he said.
All federal government departments will move to the new weekend from January 1, 2022.
The country’s F&B industry was particularly hard hit during the Covid pandemic, with initial lockdown followed by capacity restrictions and social distancing guidelines.
Rayyan Rizvi managing partner at Yoko Sizzlers, said Tuesday’s announcement was a “win-win” for everyone.
He told Arabian Business: “The residents get an extra half day and it will help UAE align with global markets which will help the country to prosper.
“As far as restaurants, having an extra half-day means it will help in generating more revenues. Also expect an influx of tourists as people from nearby European and Asian countries will frequent their families a lot more in the UAE because of the aligned holidays which will generate more revenue for the hospitality industry.”
According to the announcement, Monday to Thursday will comprise an eight-hour working day from 7.30am to 3.30pm. Friday sermons and prayers will be held at 1.15pm throughout the year.
Jugal Parekh, director at Yummy Dosa, said: “This is a huge decision by the UAE government. It will prove to be great news for the restaurant industry. A Longer weekend means that employees would like to spend more time with their friends and family. It will attract them to try or visit restaurants, beaches, or malls, which should result in generating more revenues for the restaurants.”
Eti Bhasin, owner at Dhaba Lane, revealed that they had witnessed a 30 percent increase in sales over the recent four-day UAE National Day Weekend.
He said: “Greater number of days for vacation means more leisure time, and considering hospitality industry revival rate post the pandemic, a greater boost can be expected initially in revenue especially for restaurant businesses.”
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