UAE Advocates for Enhanced Remote Work Policies to Boost Productivity and Ease Commuting
The UAE is positioning remote work as a cornerstone of its modern workforce strategy, emphasizing its potential to enhance productivity and reduce daily commutes. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, underscored the importance of supportive legislation in adopting remote work as a primary employment model.
A recently published whitepaper revealed that reducing commuting time significantly boosts employee productivity and alleviates traffic congestion during peak hours. In Dubai, the introduction of flexible work hours and remote policies aims to cut morning travel times by 30%.
The whitepaper highlights the benefits of hybrid work models, which combine traditional office settings with remote work options. This approach promotes inclusivity, improves workforce well-being, and broadens talent pools by accommodating individuals with caregiving responsibilities or niche expertise. According to Manpower’s Global Talent Report, 57% of companies worldwide plan to offer greater flexibility to address talent shortages.
While the COVID-19 pandemic spurred private-sector adoption of remote work infrastructure, many organizations have reverted to office-centric operations. However, unstable weather and other challenges often prompt temporary remote arrangements. Notably, 46% of the UAE’s workforce currently works remotely in some capacity, and the country ranks fourth globally in the Digital Nomad Visa Index, reflecting its appeal to remote professionals.
Speaking at the Remote Forum, Al Olama described remote work as a “comparative advantage” for the UAE, helping workers remain focused and reducing distractions. Despite these benefits, skepticism persists among some employers. The whitepaper, developed with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), calls for detailed legislative frameworks to ensure remote work is effective and regulated. Proposed measures include mandatory written contracts, workplace assessments, and regulated working hours.
The UAE’s vision leverages global trends and emerging technologies to design advanced hybrid work systems, ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of workforce innovation.
