Doha: Many people here said yesterday that they felt left out when everyone else was celebrating National Sport Day as it was just another working day for them.
They were neither offered a day off nor are these people being paid for over-time work.
Among them are people who work in beauty salons, hotels, malls, hypermarkets as well as labourers and taxi drivers.
Some employees of the private sector companies were also reportedly working yesterday.
“We keep the salon open because sometimes customers come when they have a holiday. All of our staff is working,” said an employee of a beauty salon, who did not want to have her name in print.
One Karwa employee said that even during Eid holidays, they get one day off. They have no choice except to work the whole year through.
A woman working as a cashier at a hypermarket said only those who have their regular day off participated in some activities. “We just work as any other day,” she said.
Asked if they will be paid extra for working on the National Sport Day, she said that it would probably not happen. “We usually don’t get leave on any national holiday,” she added.
The story of those working in the hospitality industry was not very different either.
“In a hotel, it is not possible for the whole staff to take leave or be away. We have to take care of the guests. The only option some of us were given was to take leave on an alternative day. If someone was free, they went ahead to participate in the sports activities,” said an employee of a popular hotel.
Meanwhile, some others chose to work on the sport day so as to earn some more income.
“Even if we don’t work for one day, we will lose our income. We prefer to work than to take leave especially on a national holiday, because we get more customers on such days,” said Rasika Perera, a taxi driver.
The Peninsula
