Ramadan work timings in UAE: How overtime is calculated

Dubai - All you need to know about work timings during Ramadan in UAE

Question: I work in a Dubai-based company. I understand that work hours are cut by two hours during the holy month of Ramadan. What happens if my boss is unable to reduce my timings? Am I entitled to overtime? How is it calculated and how do I claim it? Also, what if my boss refuses to pay me the overtime?

Answer: Pursuant to your queries, it is assumed that you are employed by a mainland company based in the emirate of Dubai. Therefore, the provisions of Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 Regulating Employment Relations in the UAE (the ‘Employment Law’) are applicable.

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UAE Ramadan: What the law says about reduced work hours

It should be noted that the daily working hours during the holy month of Ramadan are reduced by two (2) hours. This is in accordance with Article 65 of the Employment Law, which states: “The maximum normal working hours for adult employees shall be eight hours per day or forty-eight hours per week. However, working hours for the employees of commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants, watchmen and similar operations may be increased to nine hours per day as determined by the Minister of Human Resources & Emiratisation. Likewise, working hours per day in respect of hazardous work or work detrimental to health, may be decreased by decision of the Minister of Human Resources & Emiratisation. During the month of Ramadan, normal working hours shall be reduced by two hours…”

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No reduced working hours for these Sharjah govt departments

The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (the ‘MOHRE’) however states that employers who do not follow the rules regarding two (2) hours of reduced working hours during the holy month of Ramadan should pay overtime salary to its employees.