Working Hours During Ramadan 2023 in the UAE

The holy month of Ramadan is a time for fasting and reflecting on Islamic beliefs and teachings, and is planned to begin on March 23. Ramadan is an important time of the year for all Muslims that impacts on social life and working timings in Muslim countries, including the UAE.

In accordance with the UAE labour law, workers in the private sector should work 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Thus, for the holy month of Ramadan, working times for individuals will be reduced by 2 hours per day. This information was published on March 13 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). It’s worth noting that commute time from home to work is not included in the timetable except for several categories of workers.

As for the public sector, federal entities and ministries will work from 9 am to 2.30 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9 am to noon on Friday. The timing was issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). Furthermore, flexible work regulations could be applied.

As for schools, various educational institutions will go on a 2-week holiday break, which means that students will be given the opportunity to follow the religious traditions and practices and spend time with their family members. In addition, school hours are to be shortened so classes should not last any longer than 5 hours per day. The information regarding school holidays and Ramadan timings was published on March 15 by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and is supposed to fall on April 20, and will last till April 23. However, the exact dates will be published later after the final decision of the moon-sighting committee.

Even though Non-Muslims aren’t obliged to fast during the holy month, they should follow Ramadan rules while staying in or coming into the country. Dining venues in several malls will be available for non-Muslims during the day. However, eating, drinking and even chewing gum in public is prohibited during the holy month, as well as wearing inappropriate clothing, playing music, dancing and swearing. Doing any of the above during Ramadan is more offensive than at any other time.

Coming to the UAE during the holy month can be an unforgettable experience for tourists, and an opportunity to learn more about local culture and traditions, which might push you to think about moving to the country and purchasing a residence here. It’s worth noting that during Ramadan, developers often offer attractive prices and discounts, therefore, if you plan to buy a property in the UAE, the holy month might just be the best time to do it.