Ramadan 2020: Working hours for UAE private sector workers revealed

The Ministry of Human Resources has announced amended hours during the holy month, which began on Friday

The cannon firing to mark the breaking of the fast at Maghrib sunset prayers at Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sun rises over Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of Ramadan. Mosques remain closed. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The cannon firing to mark the breaking of the fast at Maghrib sunset prayers at Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The cannon firing to mark the breaking of the fast at Maghrib sunset prayers at Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sun rises over Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of Ramadan. Mosques remain closed. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A canon is fired to mark the breaking of the fast at Maghrib sunset prayers at the Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi on the first day of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

A canon is fired to mark the breaking of the fast at Maghrib sunset prayers at the Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi on the first day of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on a beautiful sunny day on the first day of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

Dubai Police officers get ready to fire the cannon on the first day of Ramadan to break the fast at the Al Mankhool area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Dubai Police officer gets ready to fire the cannon on the first day of Ramadan to break the fast at the Al Mankhool area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai Police officers firing the cannon on the first day of Ramadan to break the fast at the Al Mankhool area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Some shops in Satwa are open for business after Dubai eased restrictions for Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National

A father and his daughter cross the street to get to the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Terminal during the first morning of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Zayed Road is still very quite on the first morning of eased restrictions on personal travel. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A pedestrian walks pass a bus stop at downtown Abu Dhabi during the Coronavirus epidemic. Victor Besa / The National

A barber shop in Satwa is busy with customers. Leslie Pableo for The National

Working hours for private sector employees in the UAE will be reduced by two hours for the duration of Ramadan, the government has announced.

The Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Nasser Al Hamli, revealed the adjusted working hours for staff in a circular issued by the ministry on Friday.

The circular also urged employers to continue following the precautionary measures taken to protect workers from coronavirus, the ministry said.

Muslims in the UAE began fasting from dawn to dusk on Friday as Ramadan began across the Islamic world.

The coronavirus pandemic poses a challenge to Muslims observing the holy month, with restrictions on large gatherings and mosque closures bringing some changes to Ramadan.

Public sector workers in the UAE will also work reduced hours during the holy month.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources last week announced that federal and ministerial employees will work for five hours each day, with office hours beginning at 9am and ending at 2pm.

Most workers in the UAE, however, are expected to be working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.