UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced the working hours for the public sector employees during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The work hours will be 9am-2pm. The government requires that the work hours be adhered diligently.
No announcement has been made for private sector’s employees until now, however, the UAE law states that the employees are entitled to reduce their work day by two hours irrespective of whether they are fasting or not.
The only exception are those who work in DIFC. As per DIFC rules, an employee is entitled to reduce work hours to six hours a day if only they are observing fast.
Excerpt from UAE’s law with regards to work hours
“The maximum normal working hours for adult employees shall be eight hours per day or forty eight hours per week. However, working hours for the employees of commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants, watchmen and similar operations may be increased to nine hours per day as determined by the Minister of Labour. Likewise, working hours per day in respect of hazardous work or work detrimental to health, may be decreased by decision of the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. During the month of Ramadan, normal working hours shall be reduced by two hours.”
And the same for DIFC:
“During the Holy Month of Ramadan, an employee who observes the fast shall not be required to work in excess of six hours a day. There shall be no reduction in compensation as a result.”