This Ramadan Working Hours and Ramadan Rules

Before reading Ramadan Rules and Ramadan Working Hours we are wishing each and every person residing in UAE and across globe a very happy and bless Ramadan.

The questions we are going to answer are all about Ramadan Working Hours in UAE for both Muslim and Non-Muslim workers.

Ramadan Working Hours:

The working hours of public sector employees in the UAE will be five hours during the holy month of Ramadan, according to a circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

The work timings for all ministries and federal agencies will be 5 hours. The offices will start at 9:00 am and end at 2:00 pm, except when the nature of work requires extra hours of operation.

UAE Labour Law about Ramadan Working Hours:

The UAE Labour Law provides that working hours should be reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan, and does not differentiate between fasting and non-fasting employees or Muslims or Non-Muslim employees. So, the reduced work-hours rule is applicable to all employees and irrespective of whether they are fasting or not.

During the month of Ramadan, employees in the UAE are entitled to work reduced office hours, with an average two hours reduced from the daily job schedule, but there may be exceptions.

UAE Labour law Article 65:

As per Article 65 of the UAE Labour Law, the maximum number of ordinary working hours for adult workers shall be eight hours per day, or 48 hours per week. The number of hours may be increased to nine hours per day for people employed in trade, hotels, cafeterias, security and other jobs.

Also Read: 
UAE Prayer Timings 
Ramadan Diet

Is there any Salary Deduction for reduced working hours?

According to the UAE Labour Law, ordinary working hours shall be reduced by two hours during Ramadan; so this means that employees should only work 6 hours per day (as the statutory maximum working hours are 8 hours per day).

This, however, does not mean that employees should take a pay cut for the reduced working hours during the holy month of Ramadan.

Compensate for reduced hours by working from home?

Employers cannot ask their employees to work extra hours from home, as this will also be counted towards the employee’s total hours.

Exceptions and Violations of Ramadan Rules:

There are certain exceptions that both employers and employees need to be aware of.

If a company does ask their employees to work their regular hours during Ramadan, they should compensate the staff accordingly as these hours will be considered overtime.

The authorities do conduct checks from time to time to ensure that companies are compliant with the Labour Law and employees are working as per Ramadan Rules and Ramadan working hours.

If a company is found in breach of the Labour Law, the authorities have the discretion to penalize such a company. The penalty is at the discretion of the authorities and may be imposed on a case-by-case basis.

Guide about Ramadan Rules and Ramadan Working Hours in UAE ends here.