The UAE announced official working hours for public sector employees during Ramadan. Federal employees will work 3.5 hours less from Monday to Thursday and 1.5 hours less on Friday, as stated by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) on Monday.
The Islamic holy month will see all ministries and federal agencies operating from 9am to 2:30pm from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, working hours are from 9am until 12 noon, unless the nature of the work necessitates otherwise.
The authority has confirmed that ministries and federal agencies may continue to implement flexible or remote work schedules that they approve during working days in the holy month. This implementation should adhere to the principles contained therein and stay within the limits of the approved number of working hours per day.
Additionally, employees may be granted the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays during Ramadan. However, this flexibility should be limited to not exceeding 70 per cent of the total number of employees, as per approved guidelines.
According to the Hijri calendar published by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Ramadan will likely commence on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
The working hours apply to both fasting and non-fasting employees, facilitating their participation in spiritual activities and cultural practices during this sacred month.
Working hours in the public sector
The UAE federal government has implemented a four-and-a-half-day working week. Therefore, during months other than Ramadan, employees work eight hours a day. Specifically, they work from 7:30am to 3:30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 7:30am to 12:00 on Fridays.
Saturdays and Sundays are the official weekends for the federal government sector.
Local government entities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah have adopted a similar work week system.
However, federal employees in Sharjah work four days a week; from Monday to Thursday; 7.30am to 3.30pm. The official weekend in Sharjah is three days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.