UAE Adjusts Work Hours for Ramadan
Ramadan Work Hours in UAE: What to Know
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has announced the work hours for state employees during Ramadan. During this holy month, work hours are significantly reduced to allow believers to observe prayers and fasting. The announcement states that these changes take effect from March 1, assuming that Ramadan starts according to the moon sighting.
Details of the Ramadan Work Schedule
According to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announcement, the working hours for government employees during Ramadan will be:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
This means work hours are reduced by 3.5 hours on weekdays and 1.5 hours on Fridays compared to the usual schedule. Exceptions are made for employees whose roles require different hours.
Ministries and federal government employees can continue to use previously approved flexible work arrangements as long as they adhere to daily work hour limits. Additionally, on Fridays, up to 70% of the workforce can work remotely according to regulations.
The Start of Ramadan and Moon Sighting
The start of Ramadan is determined by moon sighting, which follows the Islamic calendar. According to the Hijri calendar released by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Ramadan is likely to start on March 1, 2025. The UAE International Astronomical Center (IAC) announced on February 13 that the Ramadan moon will be clearly visible in the sky, allowing believers to begin fasting on March 1.
Islamic months are either 29 or 30 days long, depending on whether the moon is visible on the 29th day. On February 28, the 29th day of the Shaban month, an official moon-sighting committee will meet to determine the exact start of Ramadan. If the moon is visible that day, the holy month begins the next day.
Standard Work Hours in UAE
Outside of Ramadan, the UAE federal government uses a 4.5-day workweek system. Work hours are 8 hours according to the following schedule:
Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday are official weekends in the federal government sector. Local government bodies in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah follow a similar schedule.
In contrast, in Sharjah, federal employees work only 4 days, from Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The official weekend here is three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The Significance of Ramadan
Ramadan is the most important period in the Islamic world, during which believers fast, pray, and engage in community service. Every year, the UAE government takes this holy period into account, striving to enable believers to fully participate in religious observances. The shortened work hours not only provide support for the faithful but also contribute to maintaining employee health and productivity.
The new work schedule thus not only honors traditions but also represents a sensitive response to modern labor market needs. This shows that the UAE can balance economic development with cultural values.
