Reduced Working Hours in UAE for Ramadan 2024

Ramadan 2024 Working Hours in UAE
Here’s a sneak peek in to the updated Ramadan 2024 working hours in UAE, as announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Key Takeaways

With Ramadan just around the corner, here is a glimpse of the reduced working hours in UAE as announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).


As the Holy Month of Ramadan 2024 draws near, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has unveiled updated Ramadan working hours in UAE for the private sector. According to the MoHRE the working hours in UAE during Ramadan would be reduced by two hours. This will reduce the weekly work hours of the private sector employees to 36 hours a week, compared to 48 hours throughout the year. To provide a better understanding with respect to the changes in working hours during Ramadan, here’s a sneak peek into the normal week day timings and Friday timings for the private sector employees.

 

Ramadan 2024 Working Hours in UAE

Category Normal week-day timing in Ramadan Friday timings in Ramadan
Public Sector 09:00 to 14:30 09:00 to 12:00 noon
Private Sector 09:00 to 15:00 09:00 to 12:30 noon
Schools 08:00 to 13:00 09:00 to 12:00 noon

By reducing the working hours in UAE during Ramadan the government here tries to ensure a relaxed work week during Ramadan for public and private sectors by curtailing the daily working hours.

This guide aims to provide a clear overview of the official regulations for reduced Ramadan working hours in UAE. So, whether you are a new expatriate here or a seasoned professional working in DUBAI, this guide will give you the essential information needed to approach and spend this holy month of worship with grace and confidence.

 

When is Ramadan 2024 in UAE?

Ramadan’s moon is expected to appear on Monday, 11th March in UAE this year, and consequently, first Fast will be observed the next day, that is, Tuesday on, 12th March. However, the UAE’s committee for moon-sighting will officially confirm the start of Ramadan after spotting the crescent.

Ramadan 2024 UAE

 

Overview of the Reduced Working Hours During Ramadan 2023

UAE’s workforce enjoys shortened work days during the holy month of Ramadan. According to the Article 15 of UAE’s Labour Law usual working hours are reduced by a minimum of two hours daily in Ramadan. Although there are no official announcements this year things remain pretty conventional in this regard.

Employee Working in Office

Last year in 2023, the government reduced the working hours in both sectors heftily. For this purpose, two separate ministries in UAE officially set forth the new reduced timings in Ramadan. Ministry of Federal Authority for Human Resources enforced a much-relaxed job timing of 9 am to 2.30 pm on weekdays and up to noon on Fridays in all federal departments. So, government employees could perform their official and religious obligations efficiently.

 

Ramadan 2024 Working Hours in UAE For Private Sector

The MoHRE similar to federal employees, has also facilitated private employees by reducing working hours in UAE during Ramadan. This ministry officially announced a two-hour reduction in daily working hours for private employees and businesses last year. This meant the private workforce could wind up their working day at 3 pm during Ramadan rather than the usual time of 5 pm. This allowed all private sector employees and personnel to clock out much sooner than their regular off time and gear up to perform their religious duties. But what about the non-Muslim expatriates working in the private sector? Do they enjoy the same two-hour reduction during Ramadan or not?

Well, the good thing is that UAE’s Labour Law is religiously indiscriminate and gives the same working hours reduction in Ramadan to all private workforce, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

 

Work from Home During Ramadan in UAE

The Government of UAE has also encouraged businesses and companies to let employees work from home during Ramadan wherever it’s possible. This means if the nature of work warrants or allows for remote work, then it is most recommended, according to MoHRE spokesperson.

Work from Home UAE

Few companies, specifically digital marketing agencies in Dubai partially adopted this pattern during Ramadan 2023 in UAE, giving their employees much-needed flexibility during the hectic Ramadan routine. A similar pattern might be adopted by private firms in UAE during Ramadan 2024, but again it is all dependent on the nature of work.

 

Final Word

According to Article 65 of UAE Labour Law the private workforce in the UAE has an 8-hour work day meaning 48 hours a week. This special reduction of 2 working hours during Ramadan means they will have a 6-hour workday and 36-hour workweek.

Every member of the UAE Private workforce is legally entitled to have this right of reduced working hours during Ramadan. Companies and businesses are legally bound to provide their employees these benefits without pay cuts irrespective of gender, religion, nationality, or race. One can claim their right to have these relaxations in work hours if not obliged by their company or business owner. There are cases reported in the past when authorities imposed fines or took legal actions against any entity that did not cooperate or facilitate in this regard.

 

FAQs:

  • What time does Ramadan 2024 start in UAE?

Ramadan 2024 UAE is expected to start from Tuesday, 12th March, 2024. However, the final date will be confirmed after the sighting of the new moon.

 

  • What are the Ramadan working hours in UAE?

Working hours in UAE during Ramadan are reduced by 2 hours daily for all private enterprises.

 

  • What is the timing of the office in Ramadan 2024?

UAE Ramadan timings are from 9 am to 3 pm on all days for private offices and from 9 am to 2:30 pm for federal offices and ministries. Except for Friday when timings are from 9 am to noon in the public domain.

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