Private sector looking at six-day Eid holidays

With Tuesday, November 16, declared as the first day of Eid Al Adha by Saudi Authorities, Eid holidays for public sector employees in the UAE could stretch up to nine days if authorities announce a bridge public holiday on Sunday.

Last year, UAE authorities announced an additional public sector holiday on Tuesday, December 1, to bridge the gap between the 5-day Eid Al Adha and the 2-day National Day public sector holidays, in effect giving public sector employees a 10-day break, from Thursday, November 26, until Saturday December 5, 2009.

Public sector employees would be hoping for a similar bridge holiday on Sunday, November 14, this year so their break can extend from Friday, November 12, until Saturday, November 20, 2010.

This year, the annual Haj pilgrimage will start on Sunday, November 14, and the first day of Eid Al Adha is Tuesday, November 16, according to Saudi Authorities.

Private schools have already said that the break could stretch nine days. The Eid break for schools in the country could start November 12 and last until November 20, a GEMS Dubai official told Emirates 24|7, adding that the Education Ministry is yet to announce the formal dates.

This year, private sector employees are expected to get at least three days off, from Monday, November 15 until Wednesday, November 17, 2010. “If my employers approves my request for leave on Sunday, November 14, and Thursday, November 18, I will in effect get a nine-day break,” said Lobo S, a Dubai resident who works in the restaurant business.

A number of travel agents, hotels and airlines in the country and around the region have started announcing packages for such breaks, luring travellers with competitively-priced fares and discounts on travel and stay.

GCC peer Qatar has already announced a 10-day break for schools and public sector employees. Eid break in Qatar will start on November 11 and end on November 21.

Many UAE residents are planning to go on short trips in and around the country and are awaiting the Ministry’s announcements on the break. Private sector employees effectively had a single-day off last year as the 3-day official Eid Al Adha break fell due on a weekend.

The longish break is likely to fuel debate in Gulf countries about the vast discrepancies between the public and the private sectors, in the holidays granted to their employees.
 

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