UAE | General
Confusion over number of Eid holidays for public sector
Confusion prevails over the number of Eid Al Fitr holidays for the public sector.
- By Samir Salama, Bureau Chief, and Rania Al Hussaini, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 October 17, 2006

- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Abu Dhabi/Dubai: Confusion prevails over the number of Eid Al Fitr holidays for the public sector.
A decision by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Development for the Government Sector, yesterday said the Eid Al Fitr holidays will start on Ramadan 29 or Saturday, October 21 and end on the third day of Shawwal.
Hence, if Eid Al Fitr falls on Sunday, October 22, the public sector will be off till Tuesday. However, if Eid is on Monday, October 23, the holidays will be until Wednesday and employees will have to report to work on Thursday before they are off for the weekend.
Compensatory day off
The decision by Al Mansouri does not mention whether a compensatory day off will be given for Saturday, which is a part of the weekend for the public sector. Government officials yesterday said they might be given a nine-day break, beginning on Friday, October 20 and ending on October 28. Most universities, colleges and schools are also expected to get a nine-day break like the public sector.
According to the Labour Law, the private sector will get a two-day holiday on the first and second days of Shawwal. The first of Shawwal could either be October 22 or 23, depending on the sighting of the moon. The Labour Ministry is yet to be issue a decision.
A Central Bank official yesterday said no decision has been issued on Eid holidays.
Share this article
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Popular in UAE

-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Kuwaiti Emir invites Khalifa to Arab summit
- UAE Haj pilgrims safe and well: official
- Briton loses libel case against newspaper
- Activities lined up for Eid holidays in Dubai parks
- Malaysian woman jailed for forging cards
- Schools mark National Day with shows
- Munching on a health hazard
- Wag a tail
- SAT wiz: Top of the class
- Sharjah housemaid packed off
- Managing diabetes: Reason to smile
- Tenants in trouble: 'Mercy please'
- The Metro just got longer
- New video game: Apocalypse now
- Big 5 picks: Worth your money
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.

