KEY POINTS

  • The UAE president directed that university and public school students could study from home on Fridays
  • The DGHR also encouraged government entities to allow 70% of their staff to work remotely on Fridays during the Holy Month
  • The announcement comes days after the working schedules for the private sector were announced

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced that federal government department employees could work remotely on Fridays during Ramadan.

He directed on Wednesday that shifts of federal government employees would be 70% remote and 30% on-site on Fridays during the holy month.

Under the president's directive, university and public school students could also study remotely on Fridays, provided that it would not conflict with their physical exam timetables, the Khaleej Times reported.

"His Highness the President of the State directed that the official working hours for federal government employees during the month of Ramadan be 70% remotely, and 30% attendance on Fridays, and that remote working hours for students in universities and public schools be during Fridays, taking into account the dates of pre-determined physical exams," the UAE government media office announced.

Following the announcement, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum also directed the city's government departments to adopt the work-from-home scheme on Fridays during Ramadan.

"The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) said working hours during Ramadan will be 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays, except for employees whose work requires them to be on a separate shift schedule," announced the Dubai Media Office.

"The DGHR also said Dubai Government entities can continue offering flexible hours during Ramadan as per prevailing laws and approved working hours. The DGHR encouraged government entities to allow 70% of their staff to work remotely on Fridays during the Holy Month," the media office added.

The announcement comes days after the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources urged ministries and federal authorities to allow flexible working or remote work schedules during the holy month. It also comes two days after the Ramadan working hours for employees in the private sector were announced.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization announced on Monday that private sector employees in the UAE would be entitled to work two hours less during the holy month.

"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 said.

This year's Ramadan is expected to begin on March 23.

UAE_President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
This file handout photo, released by the Saudi Royal Palace on May 31, 2019, shows the UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a meeting in the Saudi holy city of Mecca; he became the UAE president after the death of his half-brother Saudi Royal Palace via AFP / BANDAR AL-JALOUD