UAE weekend change: How many times has the working week been modified in the UAE?

Explained: The UAE has modified the working week several times since 1999.

Last updated: December 08, 2021 | 14:36

Tawfiq Naserallah, Freelancer and Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor, Living in UAE Editor

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Dubai Media Office

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Dubai: UAE announced on Tuesday that it will transition to a four-and-a half-day working week, with Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday forming the new weekend. All Federal government departments will move to the new weekend from January 1, 2022.

The authorities added that with this move, the UAE has become the first nation in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week.

Is this the UAE's first weekend change?

In a detailed document released by the UAE Government Media Office, weekends in the country have been changed several times over the years. Here's a look at the various changes over the years.

From 1971 to 1999, the UAE adopted Friday as a weekly holiday.

From 1999 to 2006, Thursday was added to the weekend to become two days.

From 2006 to 2021, the weekend was changed to Friday and Saturday.

In 2022, the latest weekend for the public sector will be on Saturday, Sunday, and half of Friday. The new decision comes into effect on January 1, 2022.

► UAE weekend change: find answers to all your queries

UAE weekend change: How many times has the working week been modified in the UAE?

Is this the UAE's first weekend change?

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