The discussion about employees facing travel issues from Sharjah and Ajman to Dubai has been making headlines recently. Federal National Council (FNC) member Adnan Al Hammadi raised concerns about the issue, revealing that an employee traveling between the two emirates spends about 460 hours each year, which adds up to 60 working days. How is this travel affecting UAE residents?
Back in the day, The Finance 360 had heard from Dr. Le Berre Christophe, Medical Director at PHHC and Senior Osteopath specializing in Sport, TMD, and Corporate Wellness, who had explained the reasons behind the increasing prevalence of this trend in the UAE: “Many residents work long hours in office settings or spend extended periods in traffic. Poor posture and lack of movement contribute to muscle strain and back pain,” he had said.
‘Sleep cycles destroyed’
Hussain, who has recently got a job in Dubai’s Business Bay said, “I start my day at 5.00 am, to catch a bus at 6.30 am to make it to work by 8.30 am, but again the timing is never confirmed because the traffic and the mid-switches add to extra 15-minutes anyway.” He added that he reaches home by 8.00 pm in the night, all drained, having left with no energy. “My cycles are totally destroyed, and I feel lethargic all day,” he said.
‘Late Night Exhaustive Workouts’
Sayed Aziz, who was once a fitness enthusiast, shared that now the only fitness in his life is “travel”, adding, “I live in Sharjah’s Qasamiya area and it’s been 3 years and the traffic flow has been the same.” Sayed mentioned that for him, working out is the only way he rejuvenates and to keep up with that, he hits the gym around 8.30 pm in the night and comes home to only sleep. “Late-night workouts are exhaustive and it has been affecting my strength training as well,” he concluded.
‘Limited Lunch Breaks’
For some employees, lunch break has become a big concern. “The only thing on my mind is to wrap up my work within the stipulated period of time to catch the bus back home. It is the situation every day that the road near the Airport has stagnant traffic. It’s very tiring, when we reach the Dubai-Sharjah border, feels like an accomplishment,” said Muhammed Khan, working in Media City, living in Rolla.
‘No Work-Life Balance’
Senita, a graduate, who is doing an internship in Dubai’s Barsha area, said, “she has no work-life balance” and that “even the weekends go lazing around.” She added, “Post graduating from my university in Dubai, I was the most excited to start my professional journey. But now, catching a bus every day at 7.00 am to make it to work by 9.45 am is tiresome.”
When the 460 hours each year concern was raised, in response, Suhail Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, assured that the ministry would carry out a thorough study and collaborate with local authorities to create a detailed plan.
