Corporate: It is business as usual for many

Dubai: On September 1, many private companies in Dubai shifted their weekend from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday, to coincide with the government's working week.

Some Dubai-based companies, such as Emaar Properties, DP World, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Audi Middle East and BMW Group, said they would continue to have a Friday-Saturday weekend as before.

"We've always had a Friday-Saturday weekend. That works well for us because we cater to the global market," a DIFC source told Gulf News.

The government earlier announced that effective this month, government departments and educational institutions will be off on Fridays and Saturdays. "This change would not only keep us in line with the working week of the UAE ministries and other government departments, but would also enable us to be more in line with the working days of our international partners," said a spokesperson for AGMC, importer of BMW, MINi and Rolls Royce in Dubai, Sharjah and the northern emirates.

Abu Dhabi Motors also announced that its Parts and Service Departments will now be open Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 6pm and the body shop from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Its new and used-car showrooms will be closed on Fridays and open on Saturdays from 4 to 8:30pm.

Shaima Al Zarouni, management associate of DIFC, said all companies under the DIFC umbrella also follow the Friday-Saturday weekend.

Currently, banks have not been mandated to change their working week by the Central Bank.

Likewise, other companies such as Al Futtaim Group, Al Naboodah Group and Sherwoods said they would retain their old weekend.

Stocks and insurance

The Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) will keep stock markets open from Saturday to Thursday.

ADSM staff will have a Friday-Saturday weekend, but some will work on Saturdays. DFM employees will continue to work Saturday to Thursday.

The Dubai International Financial Centre and major insurance firms the National General Insurance, Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance, Oman Insurance Company and Dubai National Insurance and Reinsurance Company will keep their current Friday-Saturday weekend.