Ramadan 2024: UAE announces reduced work hours for public sector employees

Authority stresses that ministries and federal authorities could implement flexible working or remote work schedules

The UAE announced the official working hours for public sector employees during Ramadan. Federal employees will work 3.5 hours less from Monday to Thursday and 1.5 hours less on Friday, as stated by The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) on Monday. The Islamic holy month will see all ministries and federal agencies operating from 9am to 2:30pm from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, working hours are from 9am until 12 noon, unless the nature of the work necessitates otherwise. The authority has confirmed that ministries and federal agencies may continue to implement flexible or remote work schedules that they approve during working days in the holy month. This implementation should adhere to the principles contained therein and stay within the limits of the approved number of working hours per day. Additionally, employees may be granted the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays during Ramadan. However, this flexibility should be limited to not exceed 70 per cent of the total number of employees, as per approved guidelines. According to the Hijri calendar published by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Ramadan will likely commence on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.