National Day holiday: Spare a thought for those working today

Dubai - The country's police force makes us proud - and safe.

As the UAE celebrates National Day with a long weekend break, the euphoria is catching up amongst its residents.
With the three-day holiday starting today, several residents have made elaborate plans to make the best of the long weekend.
However, amid this jubilant atmosphere, there are scores who have to work on the day - and during many other public holidays - so that others can enjoy.
Spare a thought for the police working across the UAE. The country's police force makes us proud - and safe.
As much pride as they take in the UAE's National Day, UAE policemen are still patrolling roads across the country and attending to emergencies today.
Then there are those in public service - health workers like doctors and nurses not to mention ambulance services, restaurant workers including chefs and waiters, transport workers like bus and taxi drivers, and many others.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, A. Jamaal, a taxi driver, said he's working during National Day holidays like any other day.
"Our job demands us to work on the public holidays as well. If we take off on public holidays, people will face problems in commuting and enjoying their off days," said Jamaal who hails from Kerela, India and has been working as a taxi driver in Dubai for the past two years.
Jamaal likes the festive look of the UAE ahead of the National Day, "But we cannot be as much a part of it like everyone else. It is a normal working day for us."
Hailing from Bangladesh, M.R says he misses the National Day of his home country.
"When we were young, we would hang out with friends, make paper flags, burn firecrackers, and enjoy the whole day," he says.
Tahir finds it interesting to clean the cars decorated with the UAE flags and colours. As a car cleaner, he gets to see different kinds of creative and bizarre designs on cars.
Like his other colleagues, the day for him includes normal 12 hours of work.  "There are lots of events taking place here on the National Day. If I get time, I will go to a mall with my friends during my off hours."
Tahir, an Indian, says he respects the UAE like his own country. "This place is giving a livelihood to so many people. It must stay peaceful and happy."
Delivery boy J. Khan does much more work on National Day than normal days. From Pakistan, Khan has been living in Dubai for four years. During this span, he says he has only availed his annual leaves.
"We are neither able to celebrate the National Day of our home country nor that of the UAE." But he doesn't regret it.
"More people are at home during the holidays. So, people celebrate and order all kinds of food. We are on the run."

• UAE