All government staff in Sharjah are to return to their workplaces from Sunday.
The authorities confirmed that all federal workers will fully resume their duties as part of ongoing efforts to relax the restrictions on trade and travel that are in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Workers across the emirate – and the rest of the country – have been working from home for months to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Dr Tariq Sultan bin Khadem, Sharjah Executive Council member and chairman of the Sharjah Human Resources Directorate, praised employees for rising to the challenge of ensuring public sector services continued to operate smoothly during the pandemic.
He said all relevant departments received circulars setting out the precautionary measures to be enforced for workers' safe return.
Dr bin Khadem highlighted the successful implementation of remote working practices during the public health crisis.
He stressed the importance of employers and employees abiding by safety measures and adopting physical distancing practices when back at work.
Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, director general of Sharjah Department of eGovernment, said the move to allow all public sector staff to return to offices was a crucial step forward in the country's fight against Covid-19.
Khalid bin Butti Al Muhairi, member of the Executive Council and chairman of the Department of Town Planning and Survey, confirmed the department had put in place all necessary safety guidelines at its headquarters and branches across the emirate in readiness for employees' return.
He said a committee had been formed to supervise the enforcement of safety measures in order to safeguard the health of staff and members of the public.
Last month, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources outlined procedures for the return of staff to offices across the country.
Some of the measures in place include the mandatory use of face masks and gloves, and a ban on handshakes.
Video conferences should replace meetings and everyone should wash or sanitise their hands regularly, the authority said.
Glass barriers should be installed to separate employees and customers, and people should always remain two metres apart.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
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• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Tomorrow 2021
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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