Following the major announcement regarding reduced working hours for the public sector during Ramadan 2025, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has also announced a reduction in working hours for private sector employees to observe the holy month.  

Announcing the changes in work hours during Ramadan 2025, MoHRE stated:  

“The Ministry announces a reduction of two working hours per day for private sector employees during the Holy Month of Ramadan.”  

“In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during Ramadan,” the Ministry emphasised.  

It also noted that “this announcement comes in implementation of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations and its amendments.”  

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As of now, the working hours for private sector employees are determined by their work contract, as per Article (17) of labour law regulations, and the workers enjoy flexibility as per the policies set by their employers only. Although private sector employers have the right to set work hours, this MoHRE announcement mandates reduced work hours for all private sector employers, ensuring that employees observing the fast receive adequate rest and time for prayers.  

For example:  

• If an organisation’s working hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, they will be reduced to 9 AM to 3 PM.  
• If the hours are 8 AM to 4 PM, they will be adjusted to 8 AM to 2 PM or 9 AM to 3 PM, following the Ministry’s directive.  
• If a private sector employer follows a four-day workweek, the reduced hours will be applied accordingly.  
• The same applies to remote and hybrid work setups as well.  

Recently, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) also implemented reduced working hours for federal employees in the public sector:  

• Monday to Thursday: 9 AM to 2:30 PM (a reduction of 2.5 hours from regular hours)  
• Friday: 9 AM to 12 PM (a reduction of 1.5 hours from regular hours)  

The reduced working hours during Ramadan 2025 aligns with the UAE’s efforts to support employees during Ramadan while maintaining business continuity.