Two-day weekend: which day to club with Friday?

As more industrialised societies move towards shorter working weeks, longer weekends and increased vacations, so the UAE persists in having a 48-hour, six-day working week.

Last updated: July 23, 2019 | 21:54

By Our Staff Reporters

1 MIN READ

As more industrialised societies move towards shorter working weeks, longer weekends and increased vacations, so the UAE persists in having a 48-hour, six-day working week. Although this is the maximum amount under the UAE labour laws, before having to pay overtime for additional hours worked, many employers abuse the system and have staff work longer hours with fewer holidays. At the same time, some government departments and private companies work a five-day week, although the extra day off causes confusion as it it not common.

The UAE prides itself as being one of the most progressive and dynamic environments, yet it lags behind many countries in working hours and vacation time; the government is even deliberating reducing the holiday entitlement to expatriates.

Here we examine what people in the UAE think about the hours worked and holidays granted, and compare it with other countries that have shorter working hours and longer holidays

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