Dubai Residents Ask For Remote Work To Combat Rising Salik & Parking Fees

By now most of Dubai has familiarised themselves with Dubai’s new Salik toll gates. However, Dubai residents are not responding well to the rise in Salik and parking fees, which will take place from 2025. So, to combat these rising fees, residents have taken it upon themselves to advocate for more flexible work options. The aim is to highlight that a shift to more frequent remote work options would ease the financial burden and also improve road conditions and create more work-life balance. Sounds like something you want to be advocating for too, in your company? Keep reading to find out all the important details you need to know.

Also read: RTA Announces Dynamic Salik & Parking Charges From 2025

How Rising Salik Fees Will Impact Residents

Starting 2025, Salik and parking fees will adopt a dynamic pricing system, raising concerns among residents who depend on daily commutes. For many commuters, these costs are unavoidable during peak hours, coinciding with their work schedules. Over a long period of time these increase in prices may be seen as more of a financial strain rather than a solution to Dubai’s high level of traffic congestion. Which is why Dubai residents believe remote work could offer a practical alternative for everyone.

Also read: 2 New Salik Toll Gates Now Officially Open – Here’s How Prices Will Increase

How Flexible Work Policies Would Be A Game-Changer

Flexible work arrangements could significantly help address both financial and logistical challenges for residents. Surveys conducted by RTA and Dubai Government Human Resources (DGHR) reveal strong support for such policies:

• 87% of government employees feel flexible hours align with their personal needs.
• 89.4% report improved productivity with flexible hours.
• 80.4% of workers believe they are just as productive at home as they are in the office.

Private companies are also catching on, with 32% already offering remote work and 58% prepared to expand these options. Authorities estimate that if workers were allowed 4–5 remote workdays a month, morning traffic could decrease by 30%!

Also read: New RTA Road Project Cuts Travel Time Down To 5 Minutes In 4 Key Dubai Areas

Why Flexible Hours Won’t Work For Everyone

While the benefits of remote work are clear, it may not suitable for people in every sector. Industries like auto sales, which rely heavily on in-person interactions, require employees to be on-site full-time. Although some job rolls can easily transition to remote work throughout the week, the downside of this strategy may come if companies realise they can operate with a fewer number of employees in office – consequently leading to downsizing in some cases.

A Collaborative Path Forward

To truly address rising costs and traffic congestion, Dubai could benefit from a multi-pronged approach. Flexible working hours, remote work options, and enhanced public transport could provide long-term solutions while ensuring employees maintain productivity and quality of life.

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