Ramadan 2023: UAE Working Hours Reduced, Overtime Pay

A circular has been issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, detailing the official Ramadan working hours for government ministries and federal employees during the holy month. The circular is in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 on the Implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regarding the Regulation of Employment Relations.

During the month of Ramadan, the working hours are reduced by two hours per day, in accordance with Article 15(2) of Cabinet Resolution No.1 of 2022. Therefore, the regular working hours will be reduced by two hours during Ramadan 2023, subject to the provisions of Article 17 of the Employment Law.

As per the circular, ministries and federal entities will work from:

• 9 am to 2.30 pm, Monday through Thursday,
• And from 9am to noon on Fridays, during the holy month of Ramadan

The regular maximum working hours per day in the UAE are eight hours a day or 48 per week, as per Article 17(1) of the Employment Law.

Employers in the UAE are required to adhere to the provisions of law regarding working hours during Ramadan. Based on the aforementioned provisions of law, employers may reduce the regular timings for each shift from eight hours to six, and any additional hours of work may be considered overtime.

Employers must pay their employees their basic salary for their normal hours of work plus a supplement of at least 25% of that salary as overtime, as per Article 19(2) of the Employment Law.

Certain categories of employment sectors or employees may be exempted from payment for overtime. These include managers or supervisors in an entity or sectors involved in technical work in shift basis, in accordance with Article 15(4) (b) and (d) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022.