The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has announced that working hours for private-sector employees during the holy month of Ramadan.

As per the announcement, work timings for private sector employees will be reduced by two hours daily throughout the month.

All private sector entities operating in the country are required to comply with these provisions, the ministry said in a circular. It is issued in implementation of the Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, on regulating labour relations.

In a recent announcement, authorities had declared that federal government employees will work from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) during the holy month. Fridays would remain a half working days from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The first day of Ramadan in 2022 will be April 2, according to astronomical calculations. The Islamic calendar is based on the sighting of the crescent moon, thus the exact day will be established by the sighting.

Depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, Islamic months last 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is expected to be 30 days long this year, and will conclude on May 1. This suggests that May 2 will be the first day of the festival of Eid Al Fitr.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during the day. Therefore, school and business hours are shortened to aid the Muslims who are fasting. Late-evening and post-midnight prayers are also observed in mosques.

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