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 Ramadan.” The announcement comes in implementation of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its amendments. Stay informed about Ramadan 2025 in the UAE with essential updates on working hours, overtime rules, and employee rights. Find out how to file a complaint for excessive overtime and ensure Working Hours During Ramadan. Under UAE labor law, the working hours are reduced by two hours per day for all employees, whether fasting or not. Here’s what you need to know: If normal hours are 9 AM – 6 PM (9 hours including a 1-hour break), during Ramadan, it should be reduced to 6 hours, including breaks (e.g., 9 AM – 3 PM). The UAE labor law mandates reducing daily working hours by 3.5 hours from Monday to Thursday and 1.5 hours on Fridays for public sector employees during Ramadan. Official working hours have been set from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Fridays, as announced by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). Learn about the rules for asking employees to work during Iftar hours in Ramadan 2025 in the UAE. Understand reduced working hours, overtime pay, and special considerations for Muslim employees. UAE; Ramadan 2025: UAE announces working hours for private sector. The announcement comes in the implementation of Federal Decree Law No 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its Private sector workers are required to work 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours, every day. Federal employees to work reduced hours over holy month Changes during Ramadan . Ramadan impacts working hours for offices and opening hours for restaurants. Paid parking hours are also changed. Find details below. Working hours. Working hours are reduced by two hours during Ramadan. Even non-Muslims are entitled to reduced working hours during Ramadan without a pay cut. Opening hours of restaurants During the holy month of Ramadan, the work hours of employees are reduced by two hours per day. The reduction in work hours applies to all employees in the private sector, excluding the Based on the aforementioned provision of law and the recent announcement of MoHRE, you as an employee are entitled to reduced working hours during Ramadan as stipulated by UAE Employment Law and During Ramadan, those employed in the UAE can expect shorter working hours. As per the country’s labor law, private sector workers are required to work eight hours per day or 48 hours per week. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has officially confirmed the working hours for the private sector during Ramadan in 2025. The announcement was made on social media, following the update from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources regarding public sector The UAE Employment Relations Law (Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021) stipulates that all private sector employees are entitled to a two-hour reduction in daily working hours during Ramadan. This provision applies across the board, making it a fundamental right for workers in the UAE. Working Hours and Overtime: Employers must adhere to the reduced working hours mandated by UAE labor laws during Ramadan. If employees are required to work beyond these hours, it may be considered overtime, and they should be compensated accordingly. The law stipulates that overtime pay should be at least 25% more than the regular hourly rate. Q: Ramadan is approaching. We have set a total of 6 working hours with a 1-hour lunch break. One fasting employee is questioning why they should have a 1-hour lunch break A: According to the UAE Labour Law, during the month of Ramadan, the working hours for fasting employees are reduced to 6 hours Under the UAE Labor Law, any employee working in excess of the normal work hours—or reduced normal work hours during Ramadan—is entitled to overtime payments in accordance with the UAE Labor Law. Under UAE labour law, the maximum working hours per week is 48 hours, typically divided into 8-hour days for a 6-day work week. Some exceptions exist; retail and hospitality may allow 9-hour days, Ramadan reduces hours by 2 per day, and public sector employees generally work 35 hours weekly. 1. Ramadan Office Timings in UAE. Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin on March 1st, as announced by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee. This holy month brings significant changes to daily routines, including reduced working hours for both public and private sectors. According to UAE labour law, private sector workers are usually required to work eight hours a day with an hour for lunch. During Ramadan, working times are reduced by two hours for all employees irrespective of whether they are Muslim or not. That’s according to federal decree law No.33 detailed here. Ramadan working hours will be announced soon
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