There should be no discrimination

Longer government holidays tend to take workers away from the private sector

As the UAE gets ready to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, some people will be doing so in the happy knowledge that they have three paid days off to enjoy. However, others preparing for the same event only have two paid days off.

The difference is that the Ministry of Labour allows government employees three days of paid holiday, but states that the legal minimum offered to private sector employees is two days. Although a few employers may voluntarily offer the third day to their employees, this is done as a favour, not as a legal requirement.

The UAE should change its rules so that all workers (in both the private and public sector) get the same number of holidays. This is not just a simple matter of fairness and equity - such a move would also remove one disincentive to working in the private sector.