Ramadan
The ministry said: “In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during the days of Ramadan.” Image Credit: Shutterstock

Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced a reduction of two working hours per day for all employees in the private sector in the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a circular issued in this regard on Monday, the ministry said: “In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during the days of Ramadan.”

Ramadan in UAE

The announcement comes in implementation of Clause 2 of Article 15 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 regarding the executive regulations of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labor Relations and its amendments.

Reduced school hours

During Ramadan, Dubai private school timings will be reduced to maximum of five hours, according to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Private schools must provide a maximum of five hours during the holy month, and the school day must end on Fridays by 12:00 noon in order to accommodate Friday prayer, the circular stated.

In this year's Ramadan, schools will only be open for eight days because of spring break from March 25 to April 9.

Working hours for federal employees

Earlier, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) had released a special circular outlining official working hours for ministries and federal entities during Ramadan.

According to the circular, ministries and federal entities will have official working hours from 9am to 2:30pm, Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, working hours will be limited to 3 hours from 9am to 12 noon, unless the nature of the work requires otherwise.

The circular also stated that federal entities can continue to implement approved flexible work regulations during Ramadan, adhering to the approved number of working hours per day.