Embassies/Foreign missions adopt new weekend

Dubai: Embassies and consulates in the UAE will be moving in line with the new work-week, say diplomatic officials who welcomed the change that comes into effect today.

While some consulates in Dubai have already switched over to the Friday-Saturday weekend, embassies will now also be following suit, harmonising the public as well as the government's dealings with diplomatic missions in the UAE.

The move has been well received by foreign envoys, with the Australian Ambassador saying that the decision that was taken last May "made sense" on a number of levels.

"We congratulate the UAE government on the change, which we decided to implement as soon as we heard. We are looking forward to moving to the new weekend," Ambassador Jeremy Bruer said.

Najeeb Durani, Head of Chancery at the Pakistani Consulate, said the mission would also be switching over to the Friday-Saturday weekend, in accordance with the UAE government's decision.

"However for emergency services, people can contact the consulate at any time," he added.

The French Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai also indicated their intention to observe a change in opening times in accordance with the new weekend initiative.

On Friday and Saturday both institutions will be closed. Opening times from Sunday to Thursday are 9am to noon for French nationals and 9 to 11am for visa services.

"As far as we are concerned, this is a very positive step," said Phillemon Sechabe, Corporate Services Manager at the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

For some time the Indian consulate has been operating on a Friday-Saturday weekend, which resulted in a difference between their working week and that of the UAE government.

"We are already closed on Friday and Saturday, so until now we have always only had four days in which to interact with the host government."