UAE Announces Reduced Private Sector Working Hours For Ramadan 2026
Employees in the UAE private sector will work two hours less daily during the holy month, with overtime rules and sector-specific exceptions clarified.
What The UAE Government Announced
The United Arab Emirates has officially reduced working hours for private-sector employees during Ramadan 2026 in accordance with federal labour regulations.
- Both Muslim and non-Muslim employees are covered under the rule
- Daily work hours reduced by 2 hours
- Standard 8-hour workday becomes 6 hours
- Weekly hours drop from 48 to 36 hours
Employers can implement flexible shifts or remote work, but total hours cannot exceed the reduced Ramadan limit.
Overtime Pay Rules
If employees work beyond permitted hours:
- Minimum 25% extra pay applies
- Late-night work (10 pm – 4 am) may get up to 50% extra pay
- Overtime cannot be forced except in emergencies
Exemptions & Special Sectors
Some essential sectors cannot pause operations:
- Healthcare staff (doctors, nurses, paramedics)
- Security personnel
- Hospitality workers (hotels, restaurants)
They may work shifts, but overtime compensation rules still apply.
Certain financial zones like DIFC and ADGM may follow different labour regulations in some cases.
