UAE weekend change: Will UAE private sector go for new work week?

Dubai: The UAE Government and all departments under its structure will start on a new workday and weekend schedule from January 1 – UAE’s private sector will be using the next 23 days to decide their plans on making the same switch. Or working in accordance with the change.

But one thing is for sure – the UAE by making the switch to a four-and-a-half weekday plan has emerged as a pioneer in creating that work-and-life balance. “The UAE (is the) first country in the Gulf to move the weekend to align with other international jurisdictions,” said Aqsa Khan-Sadiq, Senior Associate at the law firm Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla.

“This change has occurred at an exciting time when the UAE will also be bringing in some key changes to its Labour Laws (applicable to the private sector) as of February next. No official announcement has yet been made - we look forward to further details being released.

Several countries have in the recent past spoken about the need for bringing about changes to how their people should mix work and off-work. Extending weekends and lowering the work hours form part of that strategy.

Ball in private sector’s court

With the UAE Government proceeding full tilt towards the switch, individual businesses and groups will make their own plans accordingly. The blue-chip private sector enterprises and those affiliated with the Government will be among the first to confirm to a 4.5 workday. And then others will join – but the most important change will be in the mindset. At least for the initial few weeks.

Because it will be as much about starting the week on Monday instead of Sunday as it will be about working half-day on a Friday. “We will await more clarity on what the changes mean for the private sector in particular and then take decisions accordingly,” said Rizwan Sajan, Chairman of Danube Group. 

Banking –biggest winner?

The UAE’s banking sector will be an early beneficiary from the switch, first with the government departments starting on Monday and, potentially, with more private sector players following. “Friday as holiday meant that businesses did not have access to commercial banking services,” said an ex-banker who has a consultancy service now in Dubai. “They had to complete those tasks Thursday or wait until the following Monday to reach their overseas counterparties. Expect more business-related banking services to be generated on Fridays.”

Aligning with rest of Gulf markets

The Monday start to the week brings the UAE in sync with most of the world, when taken from a business and markets’ perspective. But there are some adjustments to be made, notably in working with the other Gulf markets who are still in the Sunday-Thursday work mode.

But market sources say the bigger picture needs to be looked at – “From an investment perspective, the region has been slow to attract institutional capital in a meaningful way, largely due to lack of assets of quantum and lengthy international due-diligence,” said Faisal Durrani, Head of Research at the global consultancy Knight Frank. “The weekend change sends a very strong signal to the global investment community and may well help tip the balance in favour of stronger international investment flows in the future.

“The UAE’s pro-business focus has been cemented by the landmark weekend change, aligning the country with the majority of global business hubs, by declaring ‘We are open for Business’.”

Retail – consumer mindset

For UAE’s retailers and malls there are two obvious openings from the switch – a longer weekend gives them a chance to host more visitors to their stores. Even with online sales making sharp year-on-year gains, UAE residents love to spend their time at the malls and in-stores. More leisure time on their hands – whether that means only for Government employees or private sector as well – will translate into more mall visits.

According to retail industry sources, it will mean only minimal adjustments to their operations. “Malls and retail operate on a 24x7 basis; the change in workdays and weekends only means adjusting to new patterns of shopper flows,” said a retailer. “Retail in the UAE is used to operating on an always-on model.”

More reasons to link

HR industry sources say that a “sizeable number” of private sector enterprises will move quickly to link up with the new Government initiative. The UAE Government has made it a priority through its recently launched ‘Nafis’ scheme to have more UAE Nationals take up jobs in the private sector. This is why a mismatch between public and private sector work hours will be reduced where possible.

On a need-to-basis

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