Employers must honour the UAE's labour law regarding Ramadan work timings for both Muslims and non-Muslims
20 February 2024
| Last updated on 21 February 2024Know your employee rights during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
A perk of working in the UAE for any expat, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, is the shortened working hours during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
As per the UAE's labour laws, all workplaces MUST reduce their working hours by two hours per day, regardless of whether you're Muslim or fasting during the Holy Month, and without a pay cut.
Article 65 of the UAE Labour Law states that "normal working hours are reduced by two hours daily during the Holy Month of Ramadan."
Meaning, expats who aren't Muslim or fasting are also entitled to two hours of reduced working hours throughout Ramadan in Dubai and the UAE.
All employers are expected to honour the rule
There are cases when inspection teams are sent to companies accused of flouting the reduced 2-hour work timing rule during Ramadan. Violation of the law may result in sanctions, warnings and suspensions posed on companies.
The UAE's Labour Ministry also has the right to severe any employment relationship between company and employee, so the latter may seek work in another company.
How to report a company, anonymously
Disgruntled employees can raise a complaint to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) by calling their Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre at 80084 or 600 590 000.
Workers can also contact MOHRE's help centre via WhatsApp by messaging 600 590 000.
When is Ramadan 2024 in the UAE?
This year, astronomers predict the Holy Month of Ramadan to kickstart on Tuesday March 12.
SEE ALSO: When is Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr 2024?
As the Islamic calendar is dependent on lunar cycles to determine the days of Muslim festivals, rituals, and events, the actual date for the start of Ramadan will be confirmed closer to the moon sighting. The same also applies for the Eid Al Fitr holidays which will take place after Ramadan.