Combating coronavirus: Sharjah government employees can take leave with full pay to volunteer in essential sectors

Sharjah - The directive was approved by the Sharjah Executive Council.

Government employees of Sharjah can now apply for special leave and also receive full pay if they are volunteering to support the essential sectors during crises. The directive was approved by the Sharjah Executive Council chaired by Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.
"The need for support becomes an urgent necessity during crises. In this connection, the Sharjah Volunteering Committee presented a legislative proposal to support volunteers and organisations that may like to volunteer, especially in confronting the Covid-19 pandemic," said Afaf Al Marri, head of the Social Services Department in Sharjah.
She called for expanding volunteering opportunities by including virtual volunteering along with field volunteering, general volunteering, and specialist volunteering to counter the Covid-19 epidemic in the country. "Volunteering plays a pivotal role in enhancing community cooperation, interdependence and increases social interaction between individuals. It highlights the concept of social responsibility that supports the effectiveness of government action and increases its efficiency," said Al Marri.
Over the past few months, the Social Services Department provided four major volunteering opportunities - Baraka Al Dar, Stay Safe, Cohesion and Giving Fund. The Sharjah Volunteer Centre, in coordination with the Emirate's Volunteering Committee, offered 37 volunteering opportunities for 486 individuals between March and May, with the total volunteering hours exceeding more than 15,000 hours. Besides, the centre has registered around 1,900 volunteers who are both competent and passionate to offer their services.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com 

• Sharjah