“The Nation that Worship Work.”
(This translation of the article appeared in Emarat Al Yaum Newspaper – prominent column - Dubai UAE).
By: Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Merri
What is lacking in the U.A.E. and in Dubai particularly, to be one of the world’s advanced countries in all aspects? This question came into my mind during my visit to South Korea to participate in the first Asian International Investment and Property Show held from 25 to 27 June 2008.
During the Show, government representatives and private company executives operating in the country presented a number of working papers. I represented the Department of Naturalization and Residence in Dubai and talked about its positive role and the efforts made to attract foreign investments. The Department’s technical, human and geographical features are used in extending professional, accurate and highly standardized services to commensurate the demands of investors, businesspeople and employees who are expecting from the Department.
I visited the Department of Immigration in Seoul. I was so impressed by its standard, discipline, loyalty, accuracy and consciousness in terms of their working attitude. Based on their concise institutional system they are able to evaluate work and results. This applies to all employees regardless of their administrative positions and ranks.
It was clear from the discussion that I made with the government officials and employees present during the Show that they consider and treat work as a holy practice and worship. Moreover, the most impressive and amazing thing that characterizes South Korean people is their high respect to others reflected in the way they give favors without asking anything in return. Korean parents are bringing up their children to live with dignity in a highly civilized nation, thus Korean children develop good manners and right conduct which heed to punctuality, loyalty and responsibility.
The Korean Commissioner for Immigration approached me to say that every Korean Minister who visited Dubai in the recent two years admires and hails the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He commended the excellent and high quality services given at the Dubai International Airport by Dubai Immigration staff and the U.A.E in general.
I was touched by these comments and I was so proud of our staff. It added more on my belief and understanding that Dubai and U.A.E. in general is excellent and one of a kind. Furthermore, we are remarkably harmonizing with the phenomenal economic development in the country. At that moment, I remembered the words of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum when he at a time said, “Public service is a priority to the Government of Dubai”. He initiated excellent governance and strategic vision in the U.A.E, introduced human resource development, and developed leadership programs comprising the best and latest international planning practices in the world.
What is noteworthy in this framework is the comparison between a better and the best approach that will induce us to examine and diagnose the factors that limits our development and growth to be the standard for countries around the world.
I extend my message to the U.A.E. citizens and expatriates as well; all of us must prioritize and demonstrate the country’s interest, governance and leadership vision. We should accord to the quest for excellence of our work by exhibiting punctuality, productivity and loyalty. We should make pleasure from our work.
Going back to the question I asked earlier, U.A.E. does not lack human resources nor plans, strategies and systems but what we really lack is dedication and correct implementation, for that I say “let us worship our work”.
