Hi NorthenChic - I work in the DIFC (freezone) and we don't get reduced hours during Ramadan - only those who are fasting do :-(
in that case you should be given extra 6 days holiday or be paid for it then.. see the link, it's the law.
Actually, DIFC have their own laws and only fasting people HAVE to be given shorter hours. Everyone else is expected to work normal hours without compensation. If you are lucky enough to work for a company in DIFC that does not discrimite and you get Ramadan hours then enjoy! Personally I think the descrimination is unfair - we close for Christmas and the Muslims dont wrk, why do we have to when it is their holiday?
I would be VERY interested to see if any complaints were acted on. All my friends work in private companies andnthere is a vastly diffent policy at each one, regardless of what the law states.
Complaint can be made to the Labor Department, but it will not do any good. Sorry :(
teh company will be fined and made to close ......
only if there is written proof, E-mail, something...
question
my employer (private western-owned company) has said that we aren't doing ramadan hours for non-muslims, and 'of course we are going by the labour law - non-muslims are choosing to work a full day'
the insinuation is that you could request to work ramadan hours, but this will be frowned upon, and if you can do your normal work in 6 hours by requesting ramadan hours, then you can take on additional work as clearly you have 2 hours a day spare..
any thoughts or suggestions on how to tackle this? or do we put up and shut-up
Ask them to put it in writing
yes :) this will look very nice in the Labor Dept. :) even E-mail is ok. you can make anonymous complaint, so not to have any work problems :)
According to the law in UAE all privet companies Muslim or non-Muslim are to reduce their working hours to 6. One hour can be added as to cover lunch break. Only if you work in a business like mall shops, etc. the working hours can stay as they are, but the extra hours should be paid 2,5 times + extra off should be given to the employees after the Ramadan sales, etc.
That is the law. Now, some companies are playing smart and want to make their employees work more, but this is not regulated by the law, so you must know your rights. Complaint can be made to the Labor Department, but it will not do any good. Sorry :(
question ...... is this all employees irespective of rank within the company??? So from the junior member to the CEO.
Also, if a company wanted to operate for the a normal working day, would a shift pattern be acceptable? providing its not the same people working more than 6hrs (well in the office at least, I'm sure other way to circumnavigate is to work from home)
Its always been a bone of contention with my company and I seem to come off worse and end up doing all hours.
thanks
question
my employer (private western-owned company) has said that we aren't doing ramadan hours for non-muslims, and 'of course we are going by the labour law - non-muslims are choosing to work a full day'
the insinuation is that you could request to work ramadan hours, but this will be frowned upon, and if you can do your normal work in 6 hours by requesting ramadan hours, then you can take on additional work as clearly you have 2 hours a day spare..
any thoughts or suggestions on how to tackle this? or do we put up and shut-up
Ask them to put it in writing
Contact the MoL and ask them to do an inspection after 3 pm........ the company will be fined.
Surely you can't be fined just for being open after 3pm, what if you didn't start work until say 11am?
Hi NorthenChic - I work in the DIFC (freezone) and we don't get reduced hours during Ramadan - only those who are fasting do :-(
in that case you should be given extra 6 days holiday or be paid for it then.. see the link, it's the law.
you could leave copies of this around...
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/employment/private-sector-working-hours-during-ramadan-1.843132
with this part highlighted...[i'> the reduction of work hours in the UAE, which is in accordance with article 65 of the Federal Law No. 8 of 1980[/i'>
I don't know who/which dept but you could report the company as well and hope that you get inspected. I'm sure there's lots of private companies trying this on.