Tue 07 December 2021:
The United Arab Emirates has announced that all government institutions will embrace a new four-and-a-half-day workweek, with Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday being the new weekend.
The change, which was announced on Tuesday by the state news agency WAM, would take effect on January 1, 2022, bringing the working week closer in line with Western patterns. The UAE has a Friday-Saturday weekend, which is similar to the concept used by other countries in the area.
The move applies to Federal government entities and comes alongside new working hours, with Monday to Thursday workdays now starting at 7:30 am and ending at 3:30 pm, and Friday working hours from 7:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Alongside the move, Friday sermons and prayers across the UAE will be held from 1:15 pm. Government staff will have the flexibility to make arrangements to work from home on Fridays, as well as to arrange their working hours on a flexi-time basis.
The UAE is the first nation in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week.
#UAE announces today that it will transition to a four and a half day working week, with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming the new weekend.
All Federal government departments will move to the new weekend from January 1, 2022. pic.twitter.com/tQoa22pai9
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) December 7, 2021
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources proposed the new workweek following comprehensive benchmarking and feasibility studies reflecting potential impacts of the move on the economy, social and family ties and the overall wellbeing of people in the UAE.
In predominantly Muslim countries, Friday is usually considered the holiest day of the week. In some of the neighbouring countries, shops and vendors are prohibited from opening before Friday prayers end.
The announcement did not mention whether the changes would also be applied to employees in the private sector or schools. Local media reports said more details were expected to emerge in the following days.
In the past year, the UAE has taken steps to make its economy more appealing to international investment and talent, including the introduction of longer-term visas. It has also changed the regulations on premarital cohabitation, alcohol, and personal status laws.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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