Retail giant Lulu Group has announced a SR32.6 million ($8.5 million) bonus for its employees.

The announcement by Yusuff Ali MA, LuLu’s chairman and managing director, is in line with “The Year of Zayed” initiatives as well as the Ramadan spirit.

“This will be a special Eid gift and all employees from all religious and national backgrounds will receive the special bonus. The late Sheikh Zayed never discriminated among his people and that is a philosophy we also follow,” said Ali.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan is the founding father of the UAE.

“There can’t be a better time than Ramadan to spread Sheikh Zayed’s message,” said Ali.

The bonus will benefit thousands of LuLu employees across 22 countries, including Saudi Arabia.