Abu Dhabi: The private sector will get a one-day holiday on Muharram 1 (Friday, 18 December) to mark the Islamic New Year, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Labour.

The circular said that private institutions and companies will remain closed on Muharram 1 to observe the new Hijri year, as stipulated in article No.74 of Federal Law No.8 of 1980 on regulation of labour relations.

Under this article, employees and workers in private establishments are entitled to a one-day paid holiday to celebrate the new Hijri year.

The ministry seized the opportunity to congratulate President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

It also congratulated the UAE people and both the Arab and Islamic nations on the happy occasion.