Ramadan brings a temporary adjustment to working hours across the UAE, affecting employees in both the private and public sectors. Each year, these changes are set out through official circulars and federal labour regulations, shaping how work schedules differ between sectors and where regional or free-zone exceptions apply.
- Overview of UAE labour regulations during Ramadan
- Working hours in the private sector during Ramadan
- Public sector working hours during Ramadan
- What counts as working hours during Ramadan
- Regional and sector-specific exceptions
- Education sector considerations
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
Overview of UAE labour regulations during Ramadan
Working hours in the UAE are governed by federal law, with separate regulatory authorities overseeing the private and public sectors.
Private sector employment is regulated under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, which sets standard working hours at eight hours per day or 48 hours per week. During Ramadan, this law mandates a reduction in daily working hours.
Public sector working schedules are issued annually by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, which oversees ministries and federal government entities.
Working hours in the private sector during Ramadan
Private-sector employees across the UAE are entitled to reduced working hours during the holy month.
Legal reduction in hours
Under UAE labour law, all private-sector employees, regardless of religion or fasting status, are entitled to a 2-hour reduction per working day during Ramadan. This rule is issued and enforced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The law does not impose fixed start or finish times. Instead, it reduces the total number of working hours per day, allowing employers to structure schedules according to operational needs.
In practice, many private companies operate on a 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Ramadan schedule. This is a commonly adopted market practice rather than a legal requirement, and alternative reduced-hour schedules remain fully compliant.
Standard working hours vs Ramadan hours (private sector)
Outside Ramadan, private-sector employees typically work up to 8 hours per day. During Ramadan, this is reduced to six hours per day across all working days, including Fridays, where applicable under employment contracts.
Flexible and remote working arrangements may be applied where the nature of the role allows, provided the reduced daily hours are observed.
Public sector working hours during Ramadan
Federal government employees follow officially issued Ramadan schedules that differ from the private sector’s flexible framework.
FAHR circular and confirmed schedule
FAHR has confirmed the following working hours for federal ministries and entities:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Roles whose operational requirements demand otherwise may follow alternative schedules. Federal entities may also allow remote work on Fridays for up to 70 per cent of the workforce, subject to internal approval.
What counts as working hours during Ramadan
Although daily working hours are reduced, standard labour provisions continue to apply.
Overtime and breaks
Working hours do not include commuting time unless explicitly stated in the employment contract. Employees working beyond their adjusted Ramadan hours are entitled to overtime compensation.
Overtime is calculated at the employee’s basic wage plus 25 per cent, increasing to 50 per cent for work carried out between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am. Employees who work more than 5 consecutive hours are entitled to rest breaks, which are not counted as paid working time.
Regional and sector-specific exceptions
Alongside federal rules, certain emirates and jurisdictions apply their own Ramadan arrangements.
Emirate-level public sector variations
Some emirates announce adjusted public sector schedules during Ramadan:
- Umm Al Quwain: Public sector offices may close on Fridays, creating a three-day weekend.
- Sharjah: Public sector employees typically work a four-day work week, Monday to Thursday.
These arrangements apply at the emirate level and operate alongside federal regulations.
Free zone regulations (DIFC and ADGM)
Free zones operate under their own employment laws and regulations.
In DIFC and ADGM, reduced working hours during Ramadan apply only to Muslim employees observing the fast. Non-Muslim employees continue on standard contractual hours unless employers voluntarily extend the reduction.
This differs from the onshore UAE labour law, where the two-hour reduction applies to all private sector employees regardless of faith.
Education sector considerations
In Dubai, private schools operate under guidance issued by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
During Ramadan, KHDA permits private schools to offer remote learning on Fridays, subject to approval and operational readiness. This applies exclusively to Dubai’s education sector.
Key takeaways
During Ramadan, private-sector employees across the UAE are legally entitled to a 2-hour reduction in daily working hours, regardless of religion. Whereas, federal public sector employees typically work from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Thursday and 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Fridays, with remote work permitted for up to 70 per cent of staff on Fridays, subject to approval.
Emirate-level variations apply in locations such as Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, while free zones, including DIFC and ADGM, limit reduced hours to Muslim employees only. All arrangements take effect once Ramadan officially begins.
FAQs
Yes. Under the UAE onshore labour law, the two-hour daily reduction applies to all private-sector employees, not only to those who are fasting.
No. Remote or flexible work arrangements are optional and depend on the nature of the role, but employers must comply with the reduced daily working hours.
No. Ramadan adjustments apply only to working days. Weekends and public holidays remain unchanged.
Standard overtime rules apply, with additional pay due for hours worked beyond the adjusted daily schedule.
Private sector announcements are issued by MoHRE, while federal public sector schedules are released by FAHR, typically a few weeks before the start of Ramadan.
