In the month of Ramadan, employees located in the UAE will have less work hours in a daily job schedule, from the regular 8 hours a day will reduce to an average of 6 hours a day.
Be advised that according the UAE Labour Law, it does not recognize the difference between people who fast and those who don’t. However, within Dubai’s financial free zone it will have different regulations.
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Work Timings for Employees During Ramadan
As per Article 65 in the Labour law, it states that an adult worker shall be working 8 hours per day, or 48 hours per week. Employees who work in cafeterias, hotels, security, trade and other jobs may be increased to 9 hours per day. Meanwhile, within the DIFC area where employees who fast will have 2 work hours reduced from their regular working hours and those who do not fast may be required to spend the regular working hours by their employers.
During Ramadan, the UAE Labour Law indicates a 2 working hour reduction per day, regardless if employees in the UAE fast or not. Therefore, Muslim or non-Muslim that are working should experience an early out of their jobs.
Reduced Hours Should Not Affect Salary
Employees in UAE-registered companies should still get their regular salary at the end of the month and should not affect their pay.
Freezone Companies
For those in freezone companies, you have to check the Freezone Headquarters where you are working to verify the rules. For instance, within DIFC, a company or employer can ask their employees to work regular hours during Ramadan but should be compensated justly since this is considered overtime. So the extra 2 hours should be considered Overtime pay.
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Checks are conducted by the authorities timely to ensure that companies or employers are following the Labour Law and employees are working in Ramadan hours.
When a company is found non-compliant with the Labour Law, a penalty awaits. The authorities will impose penalties at their discretion and may be done on a case to case basis.