Sheikh Hamdan orders early salary payment for Dubai government staff ahead of Eid Al Fitr

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has directed that the salaries of Dubai Government employees be disbursed ahead of Eid Al Fitr, on 17 March, to enable staff to meet their families’ needs and share in the joy of the upcoming holiday.

The directive comes as the UAE has announced official holiday arrangements for both public and private sector entities to mark Eid Al Fitr.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that all federal ministries, institutions and public sector entities will observe a holiday from 19 to 22 March, with official working hours resuming on 23 March.

For private sector employees, the holiday will run from 19 to 21 March. Authorities added that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the private sector holiday will be extended to include 22 March.

Under the current framework:

·         Federal employees will be on holiday until 22 March, with work resuming on 23 March.

·         Private sector employees will be on holiday until 21 March, with a possible extension to 22 March if Ramadan completes 30 days.

According to the UAE’s official public holiday calendar, Eid Al Fitr is observed from Shawwal 1 to 3 and is classified as a non-transferable public holiday.

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has indicated that Eid Al Fitr in 2026 is expected to fall on 20 March and continue until 22 March, though the final dates will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent.

The moon-sighting committees will convene on the 29th day of Ramadan to determine the official start of Shawwal. If the crescent is sighted on 18 March, Eid would begin on 19 March, potentially resulting in a four-day break from 19 to 22 March, with Sunday aligning with the usual weekend.

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