Monday, August 1, 2011

Six-hour a day work for private sector in UAE during Ramadan

The rule applies to all workers regardless of their religion, whether they are fasting or not.
"As per Article 65 from the Federal Labour Law, the working hours are reduced by two hours during the month of Ramadan to six hours (36 hours per week) from eight hours (48 hours per week). Based on this, the working hours for those working in commercial establishments, hotels and even security, are also reduced to six hours a day,"
However, a worker could be employed for more than six hours daily during Ramadan if the extra hours are considered as overtime and he or she is compensated for it by 25 per cent of the basic pay per hour during day, and 50 per cent during night, . Each company is allowed to organise its working hours to serve its best interests, but on the condition that workers are compensated for the overtime hours, which should not be more than two hours a day.
An official source at the Ministry of Labour, meanwhile, has said the company officials must place signboards or issue notices indicating the reduced working hours for all workers during Ramadan. Notices must be in all languages spoken by the employees or labourers at the particular establishment, and must be placed in such a way that they are visible to all staff.
He called on the workers to report the establishments to the ministry or labour offices across the emirates if they are forced to work for the regular working hours during the month.
He said the ministry would intensify inspections at the establishments during this period, and the violating firms would face penalties as per the labour law

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