Sunday 24 / November / 2024
Muscat: Flexible work timings in public institutions will help commute comfortably and avoid spending a lot of time during peak traffic hours, people in Oman have said.
Public sector employees can attend office either from 8am to 1pm or from 9am to 2pm during the month of Ramadan, according to a decision taken by the Ministry of Labour.
Suhail, an Omani national, said, “these days, there is too much traffic on the roads at certain times of the day, because everyone leaves from home and work at the same time and also for prayers and breaking the fast around the same time.
“This measure will really smoothen things on the road and make sure we do not spend so much time commuting,” he added. “To spend time in traffic is frustrating, more so when you are hungry and thirsty.”
Another national, Mariam, added: “these are early days of Ramadan and we can get a bit tired in the morning owing to the need to fast. The revised work schedules make it easier for us to rest for a bit and then go to work – it leaves us refreshed and does not impact our efficiency.
“Alternatively, there might be some people who prefer coming to work early and leaving early, because they may feel tired in the afternoon,” she added. “It is not easy to drive when it is so hot outside, particularly when you have not eaten or drunk anything for much during the day.”
The system of ‘flexible duty’ mandates public sector units to regulate the attendance of their employees during the two shifts in a manner that ensures the smooth flow of work and also better services to the public.
The decision is governed by the Civil Service Law and its Executive Regulation, and ensures that employees’ daily tasks are carried out in two overlapping shifts of five hours each, during the current month of Ramadan.
Prior to the start of Ramadan this year, the Ministry of Labour had also announced the official working hours for the month. It was decided that official working hours at units of the State’s administrative apparatus and other legal entities during Ramadan would be from 9 am to 2 pm.
Meanwhile, working hours for private sector employees observing the fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan have been reduced to six hours per day, equivalent to 30 hours per week.
