Ramadan: Reduced Working Hours in UAE

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that working hours shall be curtailed by two hours each day during the holy month of Ramadan. This is in accordance with Article 15 (2) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 on Employment Relations, which explicitly states that normal working hours are to be reduced by two hours during Ramadan.

In the event that employees have to work beyond the reduced work times, overtime shall come into effect. They are not to be asked to work for more than two hours a day during the month of Ramadan, except in circumstances that may lead to a serious loss of life and/or property or an accident. However, according to Article 15 (3) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, the total number of work hours is not to exceed 144 hours in three weeksEmployees are also eligible for overtime pay if they are asked to work overtime during Ramadan. They are to be compensated at 1.25 times the normal hourly wage for every hour of overtime. This is in due accordance with Article 19 (2) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations, which is also known as Employment Law.

Those holding the designation of Manager or Supervisor may not be eligible for overtime pay, depending on their position in the company. According to Article15 (4) (b) and (d) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 on Employment Relations, the following categories are to be excluded from the provisions of maximum working hours.

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• Persons who hold supervisory positions, if such a position gives them the powers of the Employer.
• Persons engaged in work of a technical nature that requires them to work consecutive shifts. However, the average number of working hours is not to exceed 56 hours in a week.

Federal Government institutions will function from 9 AM to 2:30 PM Monday to Thursday and from 9 AM to 12 noon on Fridays. Federal Government employees may avail of flexible hours and/or remote working options on Fridays, provided workflow is not affected. They may be sanctioned to 40% of the staff strength at the office.

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