Federal Law number 8 of 1980 on UAE Labor Law governs all major issues with regards to employment in the private sector of UAE, including, but not limited to the working hours of the employees.

Wherein, Article 65 of the Labor Law highlights the working hours of the employee and reads as follows:
“The total number of normal working hours for adult laborers will be eight hours of the day or forty-eight hours out of each week. The quantity of hours might be expanded to nine hours out of every day for individuals working in the trade sector, lodgings/hotels, cafeterias, security, and different employments whose expansion might be settled on by ideals of a choice from the Minister of Labor. Moreover, the daily number of working hours might be decreased for exhausting or destructive works and such by prudence of a choice from the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.

In addition, the working hours of the private sector during Ramadan period will be reduced by two hours.

Lastly, the period spent in transportation to reach the office or the employment premises shall not be included while calculating the working hours of the employee.”

The aforementioned provision is applicable to all the employees working in any employment regardless of their religion.

The concerned article by Employment Lawyers of Dubai is not only restricted to the working hours during Ramadan period, however, it extends to discuss about the changes in Ramadan routine due to COVID-19 situation. The country is still under lockdown and the Disinfection Programme has been reduced to eight hours, i.e. from 10:00pm to 6:00 am during the holy month of Ramadan. The movement limitations set up by the government will remain the same and inhabitants are just permitted out for basic staple/medication and indispensable employment.

The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Authority reported the move, to encourage day-by-day life necessities for residents and exile occupants during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The specialists focused on that outlets and shops must focus on the wellbeing and security guidelines including the preventive measures suggested by the government in order to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. These incorporate not permitting clients past 30 percent of the all-out limit, upkeep of a distance in any event of two meters between two clients, and strict restrictions to cause panic or crowd in any place to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Although the timings in Ramadan period has been reduced and the government has removed some restrictions over travel, it is yet not safe to travel freely and it is always recommended to move out of the house only when it is necessary to prevent any further spread of the virus.

UAE government is allocating all measures to allow individuals to buy necessities during Ramadan period and the private sector has been asked to limit the number of workers visiting the employment premises and to reduce the working hours. We wish you all a healthy and safe Ramadan.