As Dubai prepares to raise Salik and parking tariffs next year, calls for more flexible working hours are gaining momentum, with many arguing that remote work could ease road congestion, save money, and offer employees more quality time with their families.
Michael da Costa, a long-time Dubai resident and director for PR and media at the Philippine Business Council, stressed that simply increasing tolls will not effectively tackle traffic issues. “The new tariffs will only add to the financial burden of motorists,” he said. “A more comprehensive approach, such as flexible work hours and hybrid work models, is needed to address congestion.”
Richelle Fosberry, head of operations at Mojo PR, shared similar concerns about the upcoming dynamic pricing scheme for Salik and parking. “If I could work from home or have flexible working hours, I could adjust my commute to avoid higher Salik costs,” she explained, noting that remote work options help mitigate the impact of the pricing changes.
Surveys Highlight Benefits of Flexible Working Hours
Recent surveys conducted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Government Human Resources (DGHR) have shown promising results regarding flexible working arrangements. About 87% of Dubai Government employees believe that flexible working hours align with their personal needs, and 89.4% say it boosts their productivity. Moreover, 80.4% of respondents reported that their productivity while working remotely matches that in the office.
According to the RTA and DGHR, implementing flexible working hours, with a two-hour start window, and allowing for remote work on several days per month could reduce morning peak travel time across Dubai by 30%. Both sectors are encouraged to adopt these policies to improve traffic flow and enhance work-life balance.
Remote Work as Part of Corporate Culture
The flexibility to work remotely has become a core part of the corporate culture in many government entities, said Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, DGHR director-general. Some private companies also offer employees the option of remote work several days a year, with certain government bodies allowing flexible start times to help ease rush hour congestion.
However, not all industries can adopt remote work policies. Joy S. Distor, senior HR executive at Bin Hamoodah Auto, explained that industries like auto sales require on-site presence for collaboration and customer interaction. “But flexible work could work for departments like accounting, IT, or HR,” she added, noting that the pandemic proved that these functions could continue remotely.
Potential Challenges of Remote Work
While remote work has its advantages, Distor warned that the widespread adoption of flexible work options could lead to downsizing. “Companies may realize they can operate just as effectively with fewer employees working on-site,” she said.
Easing Road Congestion Through Dynamic Pricing
Dr. Monica Menendez, associate dean of Engineering at New York University Abu Dhabi, suggested that dynamic pricing for Salik and parking could effectively reduce road congestion by encouraging drivers to avoid peak hours. However, she emphasized that for this approach to work, there must be alternative transportation options, such as public buses or the metro, and greater flexibility for commuters to reschedule or cancel trips.
“Increasing public transport capacity during major events and combining dynamic pricing with flexible working hours could make the system more efficient,” Menendez concluded.
As Dubai continues to expand its infrastructure and pricing models, the call for flexible work schedules and greater use of public transport appears to be more relevant than ever in alleviating the city’s growing traffic challenges.
