The core working week for both the private and public sectors runs from Sunday to Thursday. The weekend in Dubai and the UAE is Friday and Saturday. However, many employees in many private companies work six (or five and a half) days, taking only Friday off (the basic requirement under the law).
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- The working week in Dubai tends to vary between 40 and 48 hours, depending on the particular company’s policy. Office hours are usually from 8.30 or 9.00 am to 5.30 or 6.00 pm, but some companies also split the working day into two, usually from 8.00 to 1.00 and 4.00 to 7.00. There is no difference between summer and winter hours.
What days are working days UAE?
The new changes across the UAE will see government employees working from Monday to Thursday with a half day on Friday, creating a four-and-a-half day working week. Saturday and Sunday will become the new weekend in the UAE for federal government employees in the New Year.
Is Saturday a working day in UAE?
Public sector employees were asked to work for four and half days a week from Monday to Thursday with Friday being a half day. UAE switched to weekend holidays with schools set to follow similar rules. Weekends in UAE were earlier on Friday and Saturday. Reports say schools will be open for half-day on Fridays.
Is Sunday a day off in Dubai?
From the new year, Sunday will be part of the weekend for government sector workers, some private sector staff and students. Starting January 1, 2022, the UAE will transition into a four-and-a-half-day workweek. Since it’s still in 2021, the day would be an official holiday.
Is Friday a day off in Dubai?
For years, the UAE has joined many Islamic countries in having Friday and Saturday as days off. But as a new year begins, the country has officially introduced a Western-style working week that will run from Monday to Friday.
Is Friday and Saturday a weekend in Dubai?
The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday. Friday is holy day and most folk have this as their only day off. Rather than close early the shops and souk in Bur Dubai are actually closed completely until 4pm and stay open till 10pm. 2.
Is today working day in Dubai?
Sunday to Thursday weekdays. Friday n Saturday weekend. 4. Re: Is Sunday a weekend day in Dubai? Most businesses in the private sector are open on Saturdays.
Is Friday Sunday in Dubai?
The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday. Friday is holy day and most folk have this as their only day off.
Does Dubai have a 3 day weekend?
3 Day Weekend Confirmed In The UAE. A three day weekend has been confirmed for the public sector.
Is Friday a weekend in UAE?
Sharjah, an emirate neighbouring Dubai, has found a simple solution: mandating Friday, Saturday and Sunday as a three-day weekend.
Is lunch break included in working hours in UAE?
The break, which should not be less than an hour, can be used for rest, meals or prayer, according to Article 66 of the UAE Labour Law. However, it is important to note that the break is not part of the total number of working hours the employee is expected to work each day.
Do people get tanned in Dubai?
It’s never too late or too early to go tanning in Dubai. The sun is almost always shinning in the desert. And, since the city is known for its luxurious feel, we at Arabian Business composed a list of the most well-appointed places to relax and enjoy a good tan.
Is Good Friday celebrated in Dubai?
When is Easter in Dubai? This year, Maundy Thursday is on the 1st April, Good Friday on the 2nd April, Holy Saturday on the 3rd April, and Easter Sunday on the 4th April 2021. Apart from spending time with family, Christian residents in the emirate often mark the occasion by visiting local churches for prayers.
Is Christmas celebrated in Dubai?
While the UAE is predominantly a Muslim region, other religious festivals are celebrated, including Christmas. Dubai is now a multi-cultural city, and has embraced the bright lights and fun of Christmas with open arms.
UAE cuts working week to four-and-a-half days and moves weekend
Officials in the United Arab Emirates have announced that the country would reduce its working week to four and a half days and move its weekend from Friday-Saturday to Saturday-Sunday, as part of a major change aimed at strengthening the country’s competitiveness. The “national working week,” which will be required for government organizations starting on January 1, will deviate from the regional practice of taking a full day off on Friday to attend Muslim prayers. While the UAE will become the only Gulf state to not enjoy a Friday-Saturday weekend, the decision will bring the resource-rich and ambitious country more in line with the rest of the globe, including the United States.
All year, Friday prayers at mosques will begin after 1.15 p.m., regardless of the weather.
“The United Arab Emirates has become the first country in the world to implement a national working week that is shorter than the global five-day week,” the statement added.
For many years before to 2006, the United Arab Emirates celebrated a Thursday-Friday weekend, with the business sector adopting the same practice.
“From an economic standpoint, the new working week will better align the UAE with global markets, reflecting the country’s strategic position on the global economic map,” the statement said.
UAE: Working Week Changes From 1 January 2022 – UAE – December 2021
What Specifics Have Been Announced? The UAE government has announced that the working week for public sector employees would be cut to four and a half days, with the weekend extending from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, effective immediately. From the first day of January 2022, the new working week will be implemented in all federal government offices. The authorities have also stated that all schools and universities would operate on a four and a half day working day schedule from Monday through Friday, starting on the first of the month.
- Officially, the answer is no.
- As a result, private sector employers are not yet obligated to alter their working hours or shift arrangements.
- It is noteworthy that this statement for the public sector comes immediately after the recent approval of Federal Decree Law No.
- Because the New Labor Law no longer requires that Friday is an employee’s weekly rest day, private sector employers will have the required flexibility to make modifications to work schedules as they see fit in the future.
In the absence of an official order or circular from the Ministry of Health and Human Resources, we believe that many private sector employers will not be able to implement a four and a half day working week in practice (and certainly not where a reduction in salary has not first been agreed to with the employee).
To assist you in understanding the New Labor Law, we’ve created a handy summary that includes a comparison of the significant differences between the present Labor Law and the New Labor Law, which may be obtained by clicking here: Summary of the New Labor Law What steps must be taken to resolve the situation?
For employers, and we anticipate that the majority of private sector businesses will do so, the following considerations should be taken into account: 1.
Employees’ working week patterns should be adjusted to a Monday-Friday schedule; 2. Working hours should be adjusted; and 3. Remote working arrangements should be implemented. Amendments to Contracts and Policies
- Changes to the employee’s weekly work schedule are likely to result in a change to the employee’s terms and conditions of employment, which would need to be discussed and agreed upon with the employee in advance. This may need the revision of individual employment contracts and corporate regulations in order to appropriately represent the working hours and work patterns of individual employees. In the United Arab Emirates, the usual rule is that any modifications to an employment contract must be agreed upon by the employer and each affected employee, and then verified in writing.
Consultation/Risks?
- We would also like to point out that under the New Labor Law, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual on the basis of religion or gender. While there is no legal requirement to consult with employees prior to implementing a contractual change, it may be prudent to do so from an employee relations standpoint (amongst a number of other protected characteristics). In order to accommodate Muslim workers who are required to attend Friday congregational prayers, employers will need to keep this in mind when evaluating remote working and longer rest break requests for Muslim employees on Friday (particularly in light of the UAE being an Islamic country and general public policy towards Friday prayers). Due to the anticipated reduction in the length of the school day on Fridays beginning on January 1, 2022, employers will also need to give consideration to requests from workers who require remote work to accommodate childcare or commuting to and from schools. The employer will need to examine whether it is acceptable to terminate the employment relationship if an employee refuses to consent to a change in working hours / alterations to a weekly work schedule (and what the legal basis for doing so under the New Labor Law is).
Working Days in United Arab Emirates in 2020
We would also like to point out that under the New Labor Law, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual on the basis of religion or gender. While there is no legal requirement to consult with employees prior to implementing a contractual change, it may be prudent to do so from an employee relations perspective (amongst a number of other protected characteristics). In order to accommodate Muslim workers who are required to attend Friday congregational prayers, employers will need to keep this in mind when evaluating remote working and longer rest break requests (particularly in light of the UAE being an Islamic country and general public policy towards Friday prayers).
The employer will need to examine whether it is acceptable to terminate the employment relationship if an employee refuses to consent to a change in working hours / alterations to a weekly work schedule (and whether the New Labor Law provides a legal basis for doing so).
| Month | Workday | Weekend | Holiday | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1-31 | 21 | 9 | 1 | 31 |
| February 1-29 | 20 | 9 | 29 | |
| March 1-31 | 23 | 8 | 31 | |
| April 1-30 | 22 | 8 | 30 | |
| May 1-31 | 16 (2)* | 10 | 5 | 31 |
| June 1-30 | 22 | 8 | 30 | |
| July 1-31 | 20 (1)* | 9 | 2 | 31 |
| August 1-31 | 19 (1)* | 9 | 3 | 31 |
| September 1-30 | 22 | 8 | 30 | |
| October 1-31 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 31 |
| November 1-30 | 22 | 8 | 30 | |
| December 1-31 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 31 |
| Total | 247 (4) | 104 | 15 | 366 |
* For months in which public holidays fall on weekends, please see the list of public holidays here.
Working conditions
Salaries in Dubai are often on par with or higher than those earned in western nations, if not more. As a result, because the region does not impose personal taxes, net income is often significantly higher, which is one the key attractions of working in Dubai. In the past, pay packages were divided into several components, including a base income, a car allowance or provision, a housing allowance or provision, medical coverage, education for children, and flying tickets for home visits, among others.
Along with their wage, contract employees are entitled to receive a lump sum payment known as a ‘indemnity’ at the conclusion of the contract period.
After working in Dubai for a long period of time, the indemnity may amount to a large sum of money, and many individuals manage to either build up a respectable financial cushion or live the high life as a result of the compensation.
The indemnity has nothing to do with insurance; rather, it is a contractual end-of-contract bonus that is mandated by law to be paid to expatriate employees as a way of saying “thank you” for their contributions to the government.
It should be noted that certain Arab enterprises often postpone the payment of salaries as a result of cash flow concerns that are passed on to employees. In this case, you will have no choice except to wait for the situation to resolve itself.
Working HoursOvertime
The working week in Dubai often lasts between 40 and 48 hours, depending on the policies of the individual companies involved. Hours of operation are often from 8.30 or 9:00 a.m. to 5.30 or 6.00 p.m., however some organizations may divide the working day into two halves, typically from 8:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. and 4.00 to 7:00 p.m. There is no change in hours between the summer and the winter. The working day is cut to six hours during the month of Ramadan, and while this should be applicable to all employees, many businesses only apply it to Muslims who fast during daylight hours.
Taking Thursday off would, however, result in a reduction in the number of operating days, which would be inconsistent with the rest of the globe.
This article is an excerpt from the book Living and Working in Gulf States: Saudi Arabia (published in English).
UAE becomes first country to transition to 4-and-half day work week
Topics United Arab Emirates|Achieving a healthy work-life balance According to a statement released on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates will transition from a five-day workweek to a four and a half-day workweek beginning on January 1, making it the world’s first country to make the employee-friendly transition as part of its efforts to improve productivity and work-life balance. Working hours will be 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a half-day on Friday from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 pm, according to the UAE Government Media Office, which announced the new timetable.
- “Longer weekends to promote productivity and better work-life balance; beginning on the first of January, 2022,” the administration stated.
- from now on.
- The government’s decision is likely to bring it closer to the timings of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, so promoting business.
- The Emirati governments of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already proposed a four-and-a-half-day workweek as part of their economic development plans.
- According to the Khaleej Times, from an economic standpoint, the new working week will better align the United Arab Emirates with global markets, reflecting the country’s strategic position on the global economic map.
- According to the Gulf News, the change would enable seamless financial, commercial, and economic activities with nations that observe a Saturday/Sunday weekend, promoting deeper international business relations and possibilities for thousands of UAE-based and global enterprises.
- In addition to increasing trading prospects, the move is likely to contribute to the flexible, secure, and happy lifestyle that the UAE provides to its citizens and residents, according to the research.
(This report’s title and picture may have been changed by the Business Standard’s editorial team; the rest of the material is auto-generated from a syndicated feed).
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UAE announces 4.5-day workweek, Saturday-Sunday weekend
The UAE has announced that the new working week will be 4.5 days, with Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday marking the new weekend for government employees. This is a significant departure from the previous working week. Earlier this month, the United Arab Emirates stated that all government institutions will transition to a new workweek schedule consisting of four and a half days with Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday being the newly created weekend. The change, which was announced on Tuesday by the state news agency WAM, will take effect on January 1, 2022, and will bring the working week more in line with Western patterns.
As the Abu Dhabi government media office stated in a statement, the move is “consistent with the UAE’s strategic goal of increasing its international competitiveness across all economic and corporate sectors, as well as keeping pace with global trends.” “The United Arab Emirates is the first country in the world to implement a national working week that is shorter than the global five-day week,” according to WAM’s statement.
- ‘The longer weekend is being implemented as part of the UAE government’s attempts to improve work-life balance and social well-being, while also raising performance in order to improve the country’s economic competitiveness,’ according to the WAM article.
- From January 1, 2022, all ministries of the federal government will operate on the new weekend schedule.
- On Fridays, government employees will be able to pick “flexible work or work-from-home choices,” as well as “flexible hours.” Meanwhile, Friday lectures and prayers will be given at 1:15 p.m.
- Friday is traditionally regarded as the holiest day of the week in nations with a large Muslim population.
While the UAE has become the only country in the Gulf to not have a Friday-Saturday weekend, the resource-rich and ambitious country has suddenly aligned itself with the rest of the globe. More information, according to local media sources, is scheduled to be released in the coming days.
‘Boost productivity’
“The weekend alignment with Europe and Asia,” according to Scott Livermore, chief economist at Oxford Economics Middle East, a consulting group, “would boost globally oriented businesses that are a significant pillar of the economy and potentially attract investment.” The shorter working week can create some issues in terms of managing output costs, however, as he points out, “there is some evidence to suggest that a shorter working week might increase productivity of the workforce.” The corporate sector and educational institutions are expected to follow suit, as they did in 2006 when the week was moved from Saturday to Wednesday — a workweek that is observed in certain Muslim-majority nations, such as Iran and Afghanistan.
The United Arab Emirates has made steps in the previous year to make its economy more appealing to international investment and talent, including the introduction of longer-term visas for residents of the country.
On social media, where the issue was trending and the official statements were extensively reposted, the new week was largely greeted with enthusiasm.
What days are working days in dubai?
Darius Konopelski posed the question. 4.2 out of 5 stars (10 votes) In Dubai/UAE, the working week is divided into three parts: working days, working hours, and weekends. For both the private and public sectors, the main working week spans from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the days of the weekend in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
What are working days in Dubai?
Weekdays from Sunday through Thursday. Weekend is on Friday and Saturday. 4. In response to: Is Sunday considered a weekend day in Dubai? Saturday is a day of rest for the majority of enterprises in the private sector.
How many working days are there in a week in Dubai?
According to Devanand Mahadeva, director of Bestwins Law Corporation, the UAE Labour Law mandates a maximum of six days and 48 hours of working time each week as working days.
Is Saturday a working day in UAE?
The weekend is defined as Friday and Saturday for the majority of office employees. Sunday is the first day of the week in which you will be working. 3.
Which days are weekend in Dubai?
In Dubai, the weekend is defined as Friday and Saturday. Friday is a religious holiday, and for most people, it is their only day off. Rather of closing early, the shops and souks in Bur Dubai are fully shuttered until 4 p.m. and remain open until 10 p.m. There were 2.17 questions that were connected.
Is lunch break included in working hours in UAE?
According to Article 66 of the UAE Labour Law, the break, which shall not be less than an hour in length, can be utilized for relaxation, food, or religious services. It is crucial to remember, however, that the break does not count toward the overall number of working hours that the employee is expected to put in on a daily basis.
What are the benefit of working in Dubai?
As an employee, you have access to a number of different advantages.
These benefits include health insurance, 30 days of vacation each year, and airfare for a round-trip flight back to your place of origin. Other benefits include housing allowances, pay incentives, flexible working hours and an allowance for continuing your study after you leave the company.
Is Sunday working day in UAE?
For both the private and public sectors, the main working week spans from Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the days of the weekend in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Many employees in private enterprises, on the other hand, work six (or five and a half) days a week, with just Friday as a day off (the basic requirement under the law).
Is UAE switching to a 4 day work week?
To help workers achieve greater work-life balance, a digital marketing business in Dubai recently announced that it will transition to a four-day working week from September until the end of the year.
What is the normal working hours in UAE?
In the United Arab Emirates, a digital marketing business in Dubai has stated that it will transition to a four-day working week from September through the end of the year in order to give workers with a better work-life balance.
How much is overtime pay in Dubai?
The overtime is computed based on the gross salary (basic salary plus any agreed-upon allowances) earned by the employee. The employee is entitled to overtime pay at a rate that is not less than 25 percent of his or her regular income.
Will UAE Change the weekend?
As part of its efforts to bring the country into step with the global economy, the United Arab Emirates is considering switching to a Monday-to-Friday workweek. The decriminalization of alcohol and cohabitation were among the measures implemented in the Gulf state during the last year.
What is the lowest salary paid in Dubai?
Dubai is a component of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country in the Middle East that does not have a set minimum wage. The regulations are as follows:
- University graduates should get a minimum monthly pay of AED 12,000 ($3267.12 US)
- Skilled technicians should receive a minimum monthly salary of AED 7,000 ($1905.82 US)
- And other employees should receive a minimum monthly income of AED 7,000 ($1905.82 US).
What is a good Dubai salary?
It is a popular question for a new individual who is considering relocating to Dubai to ask about Dubai’s average income or average wage. For a family of four people (husband, wife, and two children), an average monthly salary of 15,000 AED (4000 USD) is regarded to be a decent one in Dubai.
Is working in Dubai worth it?
Working in Dubai can be quite rewarding for many people. With high earnings and minimal taxes, it is a haven for those looking to make a lot of money. Because tradition and law are held in such high respect in Dubai, it is critical for everyone who want to live and work in the city to be well aware of what they are entering and what will be expected of them.
Is Sunday off in Dubai?
Is Sunday considered a weekend day in Dubai? Sunday is considered a working day. Friday and Saturday, on the other hand, are weekend days. Some private sectors, on the other hand, are open for business on Saturday.
When did the weekend change in the UAE?
In 2006, the government of the United Arab Emirates changed the official Thursday-Friday weekend to Friday-Saturday.
Do Christians worship on Sunday in Dubai?
Since then, the city has built up around it, and St Mary’s Church today sits beside a bustling four-lane road in the heart of downtown Dubai. Because Sunday is a working day in this country, one peculiarity of Christian worship is that the main services are performed on a Friday, which is often the only day of the week when people have time off.
Is Sunday a working day in Saudi Arabia?
Saudis feel that switching the weekly off days from Thursday and Friday to Friday and Saturday was necessary for the economy of the country.
Their statement continued, stating that they are currently shut off from all other countries, including the United States, for four days – Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Are weekends counted in annual leave UAE?
Annual leave is computed in accordance with UAE labor regulation in terms of calendar days. Weekends will be included in this calculation.
How expensive is life in Dubai?
Annual leave is determined in accordance with UAE labor regulation in terms of calendar days accumulated. Weekends will be taken into consideration in that situation.
What is the highest paid job in Dubai?
What are the top 30 highest-paying job vacancies in the United Arab Emirates?
- CEOs are in charge of the company (CEO) Marketing professionals earn an average of Dh100,000 each month. Lawyers, public relations managing directors, supply chain managers, accounting and finance experts, doctors, senior bankers, and other professionals earn an average monthly income of Dh95,000.
Is it easy to get work in Dubai?
If you want to work in Dubai, you’ll need to obtain a work visa first. The good news is that if you’re employed by a Dubai-based firm, it’s rather simple to get one. Because a work visa is necessary in Dubai, it is most convenient to go to the city once you have been given an employment.
What is the minimum basic salary in UAE?
The minimum salary for United Arab Emirate (UAE) nationals has been raised from AED 17,500 to AED 25,000 (US$6,800) by the ruler of the emirate of Sharjah, from AED 17,500.
‘It feels so wrong’: For the first time ever, people in the UAE work on a Friday
In the United Arab Emirates, Thursday night is traditionally the start of the weekend for workers, although this is no longer the case. For many years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and many other Islamic nations observed Friday and Saturday as national holidays. However, as the new year begins, the government has officially adopted a Western-style working week, which will span from Monday through Friday, starting in January 2019. Image: To allow them to attend Friday prayers, state employees are only required to work for half a day on Fridays, which is the Muslim holy day.
It was written in one tweet, “It simply feels so wrong.” In an interview with the AFP news agency, Rachel King, a 22-year-old British woman who resides in Dubai, said: “I’d rather have Friday off.” That is something we are all familiar with and enjoy: taking the day off on Friday and heading to particular areas where we can do things while they are open.
- Fridays are a Muslim holy day, and state employees are only required to work for half a day on Fridays in order to attend prayers.
- Please use the Chrome browser to view a more accessible video player on this website.
- However, there are difficulties.
- Residents of the United Arab Emirates may feel differently by Sunday, despite the fact that Friday was a particularly terrible day as the country gets adjusted to its new schedule.
Why? Like a result, they will be able to press the snooze button and have a well-deserved lay in. rather than slogging to work as they did in the old days.
UAE to shift weekend to Saturday and Sunday starting next year
A street in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as seen from above. TASS | Getty Images | Valery Sharifulin | TASS The weekend in the United Arab Emirates will be moved from Friday to Saturday and Sunday starting in 2019, according to a tweet from the UAE media office on Tuesday. The move is important, given that Friday has traditionally been considered a holy day for Muslims across the world. Weekends are observed in the majority of Gulf nations from Friday through Saturday. It will be a 42-hour working week across the country, with the weekend beginning on Friday afternoon and extending until the following Sunday.
The new rules will take effect on January 1, 2022, and they will apply to all federal government agencies.
“The UAE of the twenty-first century is not the same as the UAE of the twentieth century,” Abdulla added, characterizing the transformation as a “silent revolution.” 7:30 a.m.
Monday through Thursday, working hours will be from 7.30 a.m.
A report from the state news agency WAM stated that “adopting an agile working system will enable the UAE to promptly adapt to emergent developments and improve wellness in the workplace.” From an economic standpoint, the new working week will better align the UAE with global markets, reflecting the country’s strategic position on the global economic map, according to the statement.
According to WAM, the government will also be expecting that the shift would increase “not just trading prospects, but also the flexible, safe, and happy lifestyle that the UAE offers to its people and residents,” as well as “trade opportunities.” Peninsula Real Estate’s chief economist, Christopher Payne, stated that moving the weekend sends a clear statement that the United Arab Emirates is “a leader in the Gulf and the Middle East, taking big moves to change ahead of other nations.” According to him, “in the broader context, this measure is part of a larger number of public policy changes.
that will continue to make the UAE a highly attractive destination for foreign investment and expats,” noting that there has been a relaxation of the laws on cohabitation and changes in visa rules, among other things.
“It could be a game changer,” he said.
— Natasha Turak, a CNBC contributor, contributed to this article.
Sundays Off: U.A.E. Changes Its Weekend to Align With West
CAIRO, Egypt — With the announcement that it will move its weekends to better align with the Western calendar and global markets on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates demonstrated its willingness to deviate from its Arab neighbors for yet another instance. Because of the government’s decision, the workweek has been shortened by one day and a half, and weekends have been moved from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday. The result was that Friday, the Muslim holy day, was reduced to a half-day of work that ended at noon, just in time for the communal prayer that is generally performed in mosques and that Muslims are customarily observed.
In most Arab nations, the regular workweek is from Sunday through Thursday.
The Emirati government said in a statement that the new weekend, which will begin on January 1, “enhances the integration of the national economy with the various economies and global markets and ensures the matching of the days of exchanges, commercial and financial transactions.” The new weekend will begin on January 1.
It has long been recognized as a business and tourism hub, owing in large part to the presence of a foreign labor force that outnumbers the country’s own population.
Featured image courtesy of Dan Balilty for The New York Times.
It enacted stricter regulations against sexual harassment of women, let unmarried couples to live together, and entirely decriminalized the drinking of alcoholic beverages in public.
In the words of Nabil al-Qadi, president of Khawarizmi International College, a private institution in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital, “Once again, the Emirates establishes itself as a pioneering country that is looking to the future in a courageous and flexible way.” There is no conflict between this decision and religion, nor does the fact that Friday is a holy day appear to me to be a problem.” While the United Arab Emirates has gotten more liberal in social matters, politics in the country is a very different story.
- The country is a federation of seven kingdoms, and opposing views are rarely heard or tolerated in this environment.
- When the emirates and Bahrain agreed to restore ties with Israel in September 2020, it was a watershed point in the region’s history.
- ‘The Emirates has always had its own vision and way of doing things,’ said Abdullah Baabood, an Omani academic and former director of the Gulf Research Center at Cambridge.
- “And many of these issues are difficult to understand for the typical Arab person,” says the author.
- At a time when the epidemic has inspired renewed discussions about flexible working patterns and four-day workweeks, reducing the length of the weekend and making Friday a half day looks to offer a more manageable schedule and a longer period of rest and relaxation.
- It was 13 years ago that she relocated to Dubai, which is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, and discovered a location that embraced characteristics of both sides of her identity: a place that was Arab while also being appealing and having effective marketing, she explained.
“The only thing I hear folks talking about right now is what we’re going to do about the Friday brunch,” she explained.
In major change, UAE announces 4.5 day workweek; Saturday-Sunday weekend
With the decision, the Emirati government claimed that it had become the world’s “first national working week shorter than the global five-day week” — a reference to Friday becoming only a half-day workday — making it “the first nation in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week.” When the sun goes down in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the skyline of downtown Dubai is visible on a rare foggy day.
In the city of APDUBAI, in the United Arab Emirates, Earlier this week, the United Arab Emirates announced that its official workweek will be changed from Monday to Friday, a significant shift that will bring the Islamic nation, which is home to large financial institutions, into line with Western working hours.
- Lebanon and Turkey, like the United States, have a Monday-Friday workweek.
- Skyscraper-studded Over the years, Dubai has attracted a diverse range of Western global corporations.
- This has provided stock traders and market traders with a convenient time zone to work between Asian and European markets.
- In addition, the statement stated that Islamic Friday noon sermons and prayers, which are traditionally held when the sun is perpendicular to the Earth, will now begin at 1:15 p.m., after employees have left their places of employment.
- Because of the government adjustment, it is probable that the business sector would follow suit, as it did in 2006 when the workweek was altered from Saturday to Wednesday, which corresponded to an Islamic workweek observed in several Muslim nations, such as Iran and Afghanistan.
- The move was lauded by the Emirati government as making it “the first nation in the world to implement a national working week that is shorter than the global five-day week” — a reference to Friday being merely a half-day workday in the country.
- When it comes to attracting international corporations and investors, the United Arab Emirates, the region’s major commercial and financial powerhouse, is facing fresh obstacles as Saudi Arabia cranks up its attempts to wean itself off oil.
- The move has sparked tensions with less-conservative Dubai, which has long attracted foreigners with special economic zones, quality schools, ritzy penthouses, and a dizzying array of bars and restaurants, among other amenities.
Among other things, the revision has eased restrictions on alcohol consumption, decriminalized cohabitation between unmarried couples, removed draconian penalties for drug offenses, and permitted immigrants to marry, divorce, and inherit fortunes in accordance with the laws of their home countries.
Aside from offering long-term residency options to talented professionals and their families, the country has also issued special visas to freelancers and remote workers, as well as the opportunity for wealthier expats to retire in Dubai.
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UAE residents work on a Friday for the first time; Saturday-Sunday to be weekends
Residents of the United Arab Emirates began their first working week on Friday, as the country transitioned from weekend weekends to Saturday-Sunday weekends. The UAE government has declared that the working week would be changed starting on January 1, 2022. Employees in the public sector were required to work four and a half days per week from Monday to Thursday, with Friday being a half-day. Weekend holidays have been instituted in the UAE, and schools will follow a similar schedule. Weekends in the United Arab Emirates began early on Friday and Saturday.
- Also see: UAE issues first civil marriage license to a non-Muslim Canadian couple (in Arabic).
- According to the administration, the long weekend would “increase productivity while also improving work-life balance.” Working days for private firms were permitted to be Monday through Friday, with the option to modify their working days at any time.
- Following the modifications, the government decided to relocate Friday prayers to 1.15 p.m.
- (With contributions from several agencies)
New UAE weekend and working hours: All your questions answered
File was published at 1:33 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. The most recent update was made on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 2:44 PM. After 15 years, the United Arab Emirates has updated its workweek schedule, with government employees now entitled to two and a half days off every week. The new workweek will begin on January 1, 2022, and will last for four years. This means that employees would be required to work until 12 p.m. on Fridays. Friday lectures and prayers have been moved to after 1.15 p.m., which will allow Muslim employees to give them in congregation after their workday is through.
- All of your queries have been answered in this section.
- The United Arab Emirates will move to a four-and-a-half-day working week, with Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday serving as the new weekend for government employees starting in January.
- Monday through Thursday, 8 hours each day, and 4.5 hours per day on Friday.
- to 3.30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- What is the length of the new weekend?
- Do you think the United Arab Emirates is the first Arab and Muslim country to designate Friday as an official working day?
The Saturday-Sunday weekend is observed in the vast majority of countries throughout the world, including Arab and Muslim countries such as Morocco, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia, among others. ALSO CHECK OUT:
- Sharjah has announced a three-day weekend as part of the new UAE workweek.
- Timetables and days off at Dubai schools will be adjusted for the new UAE weekend.
- From 2022 forward, Dubai will have a longer weekend and fewer working hours on Friday.
- KT confirms prior story that went popular on social media in the UAE over the weekend
- Friday prayers and discourses will be held in UAE mosques after 1.15 p.m.
- Working hours on Friday and the remainder of the week are detailed in the new UAE weekend
As of 2022, what will happen to the official holidays that are observed on Fridays? The official holidays for 2022 will be examined and, if necessary, modified. Is working on Fridays considered a violation of Sharia law? In the Islamic Sharia, there is no law or book that establishes a specific festival or celebration. Friday’s official working hours come to a close just before prayer time. Is this the first time that the United Arab Emirates has changed its working week schedule? No, the United Arab Emirates has updated its weekend schedule three times: From 1971 to 1999, Friday was the start of the official weekend.
From 2006 to 2021, the country will move the weekend to Friday and Saturday.
- Employees will be able to achieve a better work-life balance and take on new initiatives, studies, or travel on longer weekends as a result of this. Enabling businesses to operate in complete sync with global markets and financial institutions
- Increasing the ranking of the UAE in global competitiveness indicators
- Increasing productivity while simultaneously improving government performance
Do government organizations have the ability to adapt to the new working week schedule? On Fridays, government institutions will be able to use flexible working hours and work-from-home methods if they so want to do so. Is the new system applicable to educational institutions such as schools and universities? Yes, schools and universities throughout the United Arab Emirates will adhere to the new workweek. Announcing the new school hours will be done by the Ministry of Education.
Working hours and overtime – The Official Portal of the UAE Government
Employees in the private sector are obliged to work 8 hours each day, or 48 hours per week, on average. Over the course of the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are decreased by two hours. The following are the most important provisions regarding working hours in the private sector:
- Article 17 of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations in the Private Sector, often known as the ‘UAE Labour Law,’ is a piece of legislation that regulates labor relations in the private sector in the United Arab Emirates (PDF, 2.63 MB) According to this definition, the usual working hours for the private sector are 8 hours per day, or 48 hours per week The ‘Executive Regulations of the Labour Law’ provide that the daily working hours may be increased or decreased for specific economic sectors or specific kinds of workers. The time spent by an employee in travelling from his or her place of residence to his or her place of employment is not included in the employee’s working hours, with the exception of specific types of employees as stipulated by the ‘Executive Regulations of the Labour Law’. The initial employer, as well as any subsequent employers, are prohibited from requiring the employee to work more than the hours agreed upon in the employment contract, unless the employee expressly consents to such a requirement in writing. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide precise working hours if an employee asks to execute his or her work remotely, whether inside the UAE or from another country. If an employee works for more than five continuous hours, he or she has the right to take one or more breaks. The duration of these breaks cannot be shorter than one hour. Breaks are not taken into consideration during working hours.
- If the nature of the work necessitates the employee to work beyond normal working hours, he or she will be entitled to compensation equal to the normal working hours’ remuneration (which is calculated on the basis of the basic salary) plus 25 percent of the normal working hours’ remuneration in a single day. If you work overtime between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., your pay might rise to 50%. This rule does not apply to workers who work in shifts
- If the circumstances necessitate the employee working on his or her off-day, as specified in the labour contract or work regulations, the employee will be entitled to a substitute rest day or to compensation equal to the normal working hours’ remuneration (which is based on the basic salary) plus 50% of that compensation.
Government entities are not subject to the provisions of the Labour Law. Find out what the working hours are in the government sector. On the 4th of February, 2022, an update was made.
In major change, UAE workweek to be Monday through Friday
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The capital of the United Arab Emirates is DUBAI. Earlier this week, the United Arab Emirates announced that its official workweek will be changed from Monday to Friday, a significant shift that will bring the Islamic nation, which is home to large financial institutions, into line with Western working hours. Because of the move, which will go into effect next month, the Gulf Arab Federation will become one of the only countries in the Middle East to run on Western time zones rather than on a Sunday through Thursday weekday schedule.
After months of speculation, the United Arab Emirates, which includes the coastal emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has made the decision to change its visa policy.
Skyscraper-studded Over the years, Dubai has attracted a diverse range of Western global corporations.
This has provided stock traders and market traders with a convenient time zone to work between Asian and European markets.
In addition, the statement stated that Islamic Friday noon sermons and prayers, which are traditionally held when the sun is perpendicular to the Earth, will now begin at 1:15 p.m., after employees have left their places of employment.
Because of the government adjustment, it is probable that the business sector would follow suit, as it did in 2006 when the workweek was altered from Saturday to Wednesday, which corresponded to an Islamic workweek observed in several Muslim nations, such as Iran and Afghanistan.
The move was lauded by the Emirati government as making it “the first nation in the world to implement a national working week that is shorter than the global five-day week” — a reference to Friday being merely a half-day workday in the country.
Investors in Dubai who do business with the West were pleased with the decision, believing it will make their life simpler.
The monarchy has ordered all multinational corporations to relocate their regional offices to Riyadh by 2024 or face losing lucrative state contracts, igniting tensions with more moderate neighbors.
The United Arab Emirates has adopted a number of modifications to its criminal code, which is based on Islamic law, or Shariah, in order to further enhance its reputation as a cosmopolitan hub while also combating the economic impacts of the epidemic.
As the virus flooded hospitals and prompted lockdowns throughout the world, the highly vaccinated and open-for-business United Arab Emirates emerged as something of a refuge for the world’s elite, who have bought up record numbers of luxury residences in the UAE this year despite the threat of the illness.
It also gave long-term residence alternatives to bright individuals and their families, issued special permits to freelancers and remote workers, and offered wealthy expatriates the opportunity to retire in Dubai. Foreign residents outnumber locals by about nine to one in the UAE.