Dubai: The Ministry of Labour is making it crystal clear for workers who may still be uncertain regarding which days are being given in lieu of the upcoming National Day holiday on Monday.
All private sector workers will be required to work on the National Day holiday on Monday, December 2, said a top labour ministry official.
In exchange, workers in the private sector will be given a day off in lieu in advance, said the ministry, to give employees a longer weekend.
Minister of Labour Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash announced on Monday that the private sector will get one day’s paid holiday on the UAE’s 42nd National Day.
According to a decision issued by the minister, Saturday, November 30 will be a day off for employees at private sector companies who only take a one-day weekend on Friday.
Workers given a regular two-day weekend on Friday and Saturday will be given Sunday off in lieu of the official National Day.
“We are giving Saturday for those who have only Friday day off so they will have Friday and Saturday as a weekend,” the official said.
The official said that other workers in the private sector are being given Sunday because their weekend is Friday and Saturday.
“That will allow them to have an extended three days off to enjoy the National Day celebrations,” he said.
The official instructed all companies in the private sector to adhere to the rules.
He said those who have to work during their National Day holiday on the weekend must be compensated by their companies.
Workers in the public sector return to work on December 3.
Alan Bacason, an expert on human resources who lives in Dubai, said movable holidays can at times cause confusion because employees are unsure if they have the official calendar day off.
Some companies opt to award employees a single day or days off falling between a weekend and the official holiday.
“This is what they usually do in other countries,” said Bacason on Tuesday. “Some companies do the same in general.”
