Private sector employees will have a two hour reduction…

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced a reduced working day for private sector employees throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Starting from Sunday April 26, workers will have a two-hour reduction on their work day.

This will continue throughout the entirety of Ramadan, which is likely to last 29 or 30 days. Ramadan started on Friday April 24 this year, and Eid Al Fitr is likely to fall on Saturday May 23 or Sunday May 24, which could mean a long weekend.

Public sector employees have already been granted a reduced working day. MoHRE announced that government workers will work only between the hours of 9am and 2pm.

Dubai Media Office announced that employees can return to offices if absolutely necessary. However the number of people at any one time should not exceed 30 per cent of the space’s capacity. Employees should also wear face masks and have their temperature checked.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It’s a time when Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset.

Lasting around a month, it marks the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Extra tarawih prayers are performed throughout Ramadan and each evening 1/30th of the holy book is recited. By the end of Ramadan, many observers have read the entire Qur’an.

Ramadan Kareem!