The official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Tuesday that the UAE decided to change the weekend from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday and allocate a work week of four and a half days.
In addition to Saturday and Sunday, UAE residents will have a half-day rest on Friday afternoon, the wonderful weekly day of prayer in Muslim countries.
According to the Emirates News Agency, “The United Arab Emirates is the first country in the world to offer a national work week shorter than the five-day global week.” In most Arab countries, the weekend takes place between Friday and Saturday.
The union that brings together the seven emirates will become the only country in the Gulf with the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, a decision that allows it to align with most countries outside the Arab world.
According to the Emirates News Agency, employees will also be able to choose to work from home on Friday.
“This long weekend is part of the UAE government’s efforts to improve the balance between personal and professional life (…) as well as to enhance the country’s economic competitive performance,” the Emirates News Agency said.
The National Action Week became mandatory for the public sector from January.
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