Several top government officials have been ordered to retire after the ruler of Dubai made a surprise spot-check of their offices but found no-one at work.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid turned up at government buildings on Sunday – a normal working day in the United Arab Emirates – but found the desks of some of his most senior officials abandoned for the day.
In footage shared on social media by the government, the Sheikh is seen wandering alone around a plush office with leather desk chairs and pictures of himself on the walls. He briefly peruses a book in the empty office as there was no-one there for him to talk to.
On Instagram the post was captioned: “Mohammed bin Rashid on a field tour to government departments in Dubai.”
He visited the Dubai Municipality, Department of Land and Property and the Department of Economic Development at about 7.30am and in each case found absent senior officials.
As a result of his surprise visits, nine high-powered government employees were ordered to retire.
Director-general of Dubai’s government media office told Bloomberg: “He certainly wanted to send a message.
“Timeliness starts at the top and we won’t go after employees when their bosses aren’t there.’’
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