Dubai’s Danube Group says will not lay-off any staff due to Covid-19 impact

Dubai’s Danube group will not lay off any of its 3,600 employees due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has announced.

The building materials company has diversified operations spanning real estate and interior design across the GCC and India.

Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Group said: “We really appreciate the effort that all of employees have made to build this company and will not let this pandemic make us sack our employees.

“That is why we have decided to retain each and every one employed by us through these tough times that has taken away people’s sleep at night. We stand with our employees against this pandemic.”

Sajan also confirmed that the company has invested in contingency plans, which are currently being implemented to support the business.

“While losses are being incurred, the companies which have been investing in contingency plans are going to get through this and emerge stronger after it is over. My employees have made my company resilient to tackle situations like this and we have put measures in place already, making sure that work is not halted.”

He said Danube is also continuing to generate some of its revenues despite the current situation.

“The majority of our businesses are related to construction sector which has been allowed to be operated under some conditions. So we have been making partial revenues even when almost everything has come to a stop,” Sajan added.

Also read: UAE issues decree to regulate private sector job cuts, salary reductions during Covid-19

The UAE has taken several measures to curb the spread of the virus including limiting the number of people in the workplace and restricting movement during the disinfection programme. Dubai has imposed stricter measures, but certain sectors, deemed vital, have been permitted to continue operations provided they adhere to strict social distancing protocols.

The UAE has also announced an economic stimulus of Dhs126bn to support businesses hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also read: Abu Dhabi bank ADCB says no layoffs in 2020 due to Covid-19 impact