UAE Announces Reduced Working Hours for Public Sector Employees During Ramadan 2026

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced reduced working hours for public sector employees during the holy month of Ramadan, with flexible work and remote working options also introduced for federal entities.

The United Arab Emirates has announced revised working hours for public sector employees during the holy month of Ramadan in 2026. According to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, public sector employees will work from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays, except for roles that require different working schedules.

Federal ministries and entities have also been given the option to implement flexible working arrangements or allow employees to work remotely on Fridays, with a maximum of 70 per cent of the workforce permitted to work remotely, subject to approved guidelines.

Ramadan is expected to begin on February 19, according to the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi, as the crescent moon sighting on February 17 is considered unlikely across most regions of the Arab and Islamic world. However, the official start of Ramadan will be confirmed by moon-sighting committees on the 29th day of Shaban.

Islamic months last either 29 or 30 days depending on the moon sighting, and Shaban is expected to complete 30 days this year, making Thursday the likely first day of Ramadan.

Under normal circumstances, the UAE federal government operates on a four-and-a-half-day workweek, with eight-hour workdays from Monday to Thursday and shorter working hours on Fridays. Since January 2022, Saturdays and Sundays have been designated as official weekends for federal government employees.

While most Emirates follow this workweek system, Sharjah continues to operate a four-day workweek, with weekends on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.