Ramadan dates were announced at the beginning of the year itself. But the moon sightings will call for certain changes during the month. And along with that, UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has made a crucial announcement for the public sector employees in UAE. As we know Fridays are usually hectic during Ramadan, His Highness has declared remote working options for the public sector in UAE.
UAE Public Sector Will Be Have Remote Working Options On Fridays For Ramadan
Under the directives of the UAE President, official working hours for Abu Dhabi Government employees on Fridays during Ramadan will be 70 per cent remote and 30 per cent in office; and 100 per cent remote for government universities and schools, considering prescheduled exams pic.twitter.com/MCURGXHnrv
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 15, 2023
According to President Sheikh Mohamed, federal government entities would permit 70% of its employees to operate from their homes on Fridays during Ramadan.
On certain days, the remaining 30% of the workforce should be present in the workplace.
If exam schedules permit it, pupils and students at govt educational institutions will also be permitted to study from home on Fridays. This is provided that the dates of their exams be considered. The question of how it will be applicable to private universities in the UAE was left unanswered.
The UAE government’s media office announced the decision via Twitter.
Also Read: UAE Becomes Leading Country In The Middle East For Remote Working
Dubai Received A Similar Declarations From The Crown Prince Of The Emirate
In line with the directives of the UAE President, @HamdanMohammed has directed #Dubai govt entities to implement a remote working system on Fridays during the Holy Month of Ramadan. 70% of employees will work remotely & 30% of staff will work from the office.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 15, 2023
Similar remote working hours have been declared for Dubai by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.
The working time during Ramadan will be 9 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Thursday. On Friday it will be 9 am to 12 pm. But there will be certain exceptions visible for those employees whose jobs compel them to follow a different shift pattern.
Government organisations may continue to offer flexible hours throughout Ramadan. This statement came from DGHR based on the current legislation and authorised working hours. During the Holy Month, the DGHR pushed government organisations to permit 70% of their personnel to work remotely on Fridays.
The choice was made five days after the government hours and two days after the private sector’s announcement of Ramadan working hours.
Although the moon-sighting committee is anticipated to declare the precise date on the evening of March 22, Ramadan is anticipated to start in the UAE on March 23.
Cover Image Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Media Office