3-day weekend: After UAE, now Saudi Arabia is considering a shorter workweek

Saudi Arabia is considering a three-day weekend after the UAE implemented it last year, according to local media reports.

Local media reported that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in response to a tweet, said that it is studying the current work system regarding the possibility of extending the weekly leave for three days.

According to reports, the response appeared on the ministry’s Twitter account that is used to answer the questions from its beneficiaries. The tweet said that the ministry is studying the current work system through a periodic review to achieve increased job creation and raise the attractiveness of the market for local and international investments. It also explained that a draft of the work system had been put forward in a survey platform for public consultations.

The UAE introduced a shorter workweek on January 1, 2022, while it moved its Friday-Saturday weekend to Saturday-Sunday in a landmark reform. The new system was rolled out across all government entities and most firms in the private sector followed suit. On Fridays, the working hours are only until noon.

In Sharjah, however, a shorter four-day workweek was implemented, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday forming the new weekend.

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