Will UAE residents get an extra day off for Eid Al Adha falling on the weekend?
Hoping for an extra holiday? Here’s what the UAE’s law on public holiday says
Dubai: The Eid Al Adha break in the UAE begins tomorrow, starting with Arafat Day on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday, June 6, as confirmed by the official moon-sighting.
Since the holidays fall on Thursday and Friday, the break will continue into the weekend, Saturday and Sunday - giving many residents a four-day long weekend.
What if Eid Al Adha falls on the weekend?
If the Eid Al Adha holidays do run from Thursday to Sunday, it technically means that two of the public holiday dates fall on regular weekend days. So, does that mean we get any extra days off?
According to the UAE Cabinet, public holidays are not carried forward if they fall on another public holiday or during the weekend.
Imran Khan, a Dubai-based legal consultant, clarified that companies are not legally required to offer an extra day off in such cases.
“An employer and employee can reach an agreement for a separate day off by mutual understanding, but nothing is mentioned specifically related to it in the UAE Labour Law,” Khan said.
Priyasha Corrie, a Partner at Keystone Law Middle East LLP, added that this position is in line with the UAE Labour Law regarding annual leave and public holidays.
“Under Article 29 of the new UAE Labour Law, employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave. If a public holiday falls on the days of his annual leave, then the public holiday is counted towards the annual leave of the employee. So, the employee does not get any additional days off,” Corrie told Gulf News.
Working during a public holiday? Here’s what you need to know
Employees who are required to work on a public holiday must be compensated, either with another day off or additional pay.
“On the other hand, if an employee has to work during any official holiday, then the employer has to compensate him or her with another holiday or pay the employee the salary for that day plus an increase of not less than 50 per cent of the basic salary for that day,” Corrie added.
She also pointed out that under the new law, employees are entitled to one weekly day off, which does not have to fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
“If a public holiday coincides with an employee’s weekly day off, then the employee does not get an additional day off,” she said.
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