Abdulrahman al-Awar, the UAE’s Minister of Human Resources and Emiratization, urged private sector companies on Tuesday to adopt the new shorter work week, which will be implemented by the public sector at the start of 2022, and to change internal operations to ensure employees receive adjusted benefits. From Mondays through Thursdays, the Gulf country’s public sector changed its work week to 4.5 days, with Friday working hours beginning at 7:30 a.m. and finishing at 12:00 p.m. In line with worldwide markets, Saturdays and Sundays will become the new weekend.
The move will take effect on January 1, 2022, at all public schools across the country. “The decree law stipulates that workers are entitled to at least one paid weekly rest day, which must be specified in the employment contract or in the organization’s executive regulations, with the option of increasing the weekly rest day at the employer’s discretion or by cabinet resolution,” according to state news agency WAM. “Private enterprises and establishments should exploit the benefits of the new system by revising their internal rules and regulations in a way that fits their unique activities while also ensuring a supportive and balanced work environment for their employees,” says Awar.