Sharjah parking inspector on dealing with heat and short tempers

Sharjah: Having a job that requires you to work outdoors is not an easy task during Ramadan, especially if it is one where you might have to fine short-tempered motorists over parking issues.

This sort of scenario is a typical day in the life of Hassan Ali Mohammad, a 21-year-old UAE national, who has been working as a parking inspector at the Transport and Freightage Department of Sharjah Municipality for three years.

Being single and living at home with his parents makes it easier for Mohammad to cope with the stressful demands of his job.

"This Ramadan is a bit difficult because I am outdoors when it is almost 50 degrees Celsius with very high humidity, and since I cannot drink anything my throat gets a bit sore. But this is my job and if that is the sacrifice I need to make, then so be it," he says.

Before Ramadan started, parking inspectors at the municipality had the option to choose between the morning shift and the evening shift, which are from 8am to 1pm and from 7pm to 12am respectively. In the morning shift, parking inspectors are allowed three breaks of up to 15 minutes each every hour,.

Breaks

Mohammad also notes that inspectors are not allowed to take their breaks inside shops and so they choose their shelter either in the shade of buildings or under a tree.

"I chose to have weekly alternate shifts so that during Ramadan I would be able to go for Taraweeh prayers in the evening as well as being able to get a break from the heat. So for one week straight I work in the mornings and then the next week I work in the evenings, and that is my schedule for the rest of the month."

Motorists can get a bit troubling at times, he points out, as they are always ready to argue when they see him writing up a parking ticket.

"I have had a few people shouting that they were forced to park in a disabled parking area because all the other spaces were full, and they demand to be let off. I merely recite the rules to them and hand over a ticket. I had previous training at the police academy where I learned how to deal with the public and stay calm in stressful situations."

However, there are times that call for a more lenient approach but it all depends on the circumstances.

"There is a five-minute leniency period for everybody but if the person catches me before I write the ticket with a plausible excuse, then I listen and consider what to do."