A Dubai billionaire has urged for banks to remain open during lengthy holidays, citing the “direct harm” caused to customers and the commercial sector by their closure.
Khalaf Al Habtoor, founder and chairman of Al Habtoor Group, pointed out that bank closures lead to difficulties for customers in various ways, such as challenges in conducting financial transactions or cashing urgent cheques.
Al Habtoor took to the social media platform X to raise awareness about this issue, particularly during the recent Eid Al Fitr break when banks were closed for up to nine days, marking the longest holiday of the year.
While some companies in the UAE were entirely closed during Eid, most maintained some level of operation throughout the nine-day break.
“I fully acknowledge that official holidays are a right for all employees, whether in the public or private sector, but not everyone should necessarily close their doors. Certain vital sectors like airports, hospitals, and hotels operate continuously through employee rotations to ensure uninterrupted services,” Al Habtoor stated.
As a prominent philanthropist, Al Habtoor recently made headlines for facilitating and financially supporting Afghan girls to pursue higher education in Dubai.
Al Habtoor emphasized the significance of the banking sector in Dubai, where commercial, tourism, and financial activities remain robust.
“The banking sector, with its diverse array of banks, cannot afford to shut its doors during official holidays. Such closures directly harm customers and the commercial sector, leading to difficulties in completing financial transactions, cashing urgent cheques, or conducting important commercial deals,” he explained.
While online platforms and ATMs offer alternatives for transactions, they are often insufficient to meet the needs of businesses.