UAE announces Ramadan working hours for private sector

Working hours will be reduced by two hours during the holy month

A cannon is fired at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, to mark the beginning of iftar in 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Hundreds of packets of cooked food provided by Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Jebel Ali for the needy are distributed by Markaz volunteers before iftar at the Naif area of Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Volunteers in Fujairah prepare food to be handed out at iftar. Antonie Robertson / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A cannon is fired to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest standing building. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman checks out a Ramadan promotional stand at Carrefour in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan lamps for sale at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the day before Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at the Spinneys in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations inside Al Fateh Plaza at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Latest: Ramadan 2021 start date announced in UAE

The UAE announced working hours for private sector employees during Ramadan.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said yesterday working hours would be reduced by two hours during the holy month.

These reduced hours were revealed by Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Nasser Al Hamli.

Ramadan is expected to start on April 12, but the final date will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee.

The Moon-sighting committee – a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the country’s Islamic authority – typically convenes after maghrib, or sunset, prayers on the 29th day of Sha’ban to look for the new crescent moon.

If they spot it, Ramadan begins the following day. If not, Sha’ban will last 30 days and Ramadan will begin thereafter.

Article 65 of the UAE’s Labour Law states that the normal working hours for the private sector are eight a day or 48 hours a week, though many employees typically work nine-hour days.

On Thursday, the working hours for Ramadan for government employees across the country were confirmed.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said working hours would be from 9am until 2pm.

Government departments typically work a seven-hour day outside of the holy month.

Last month, education chiefs across the country amended the school day before the start of Ramadan.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s private education regulator, said private schools would have to cut their day to five hours from the usual seven.

Mohammed Darwish, chief executive of permits and compliance at the authority, said schools could choose what times they start and end after consulting with parents.

“During Ramadan, the whole school community – including pupils, teachers and parents – will be spending extra time in prayer with their families,” Mr Darwish said.

“We ask schools to be mindful of this with regards to the amount of homework and assignments set for pupils.”

Private schools in Abu Dhabi will also shorten the school day to five hours.

Abu Dhabi private schools cannot start the day before 9.30am and must end by 3.30pm.

The Sharjah Private Education Authority said the school day will last between three and five hours throughout the holy month.

Schools have been directed to assign less homework and conduct fewer tests during this period.