Dubai: Senior executives and school principals welcomed the government move to shift the weekend to Friday and Saturday, saying the UAE will now be more in synch with the rest of the world.
Kamal Vachani, director of Al Maya Group, said it was a welcome move. "But what about the banks," he asked. He said the move came at the right time, after the changeover to one straight shift from 9am to 6.30pm, with an hour's lunch break.
"It will give people more time with their families," he said.
Bharatkumar Shah, chairman of Al Mustaneer Trading, said it will not make a difference to those dealing with India. "Most of the businesses are anyway closed on Saturday," he said. He hoped that people will change their mindsets and adjust to the change easily. A section of residents had divided opinions on the issue.
"Personally, I would prefer a Saturday and Sunday off," said Rizwan Sajan, chairman of Danube group.
"Other than the Middle East countries, the whole world is sleeping on these days," he said.
The executive said he usually visits his Muscat and Bahrain offices on Sundays. But he said the new weekend will boost productivity.
Raj Shetty, chairman of Ramee Group of Hotels, said he works seven days a week. "One day off in a week should be enough," he said. "In the hospitality business we are always working."
Fatima Al Merri, principal of Al Raya secondary school for girls, felt that Friday was an important holiday. "The rest of days, whether Thursday or Saturday, does not make any difference to us.
Reasons sought
"I would really like to know the reason behind the change in the weekend," she added. "I just hope that the authorities have taken the traffic situation under consideration."
Ashok Kumar, principal of Indian High School, said schools that are affiliated to international boards, will now be able to establish communication with their individual boards on a Thursday.
"Apart from this it does not make any difference to schools," he said.
Madhav Rao, principal of Our Own English High School, Dubai, echoed a similar response: "At the end of the day, schools are getting two days off. There is no disadvantage in this at all."
