Ramadan Working Hours in the UAE Private Sector
Understand the two-hour daily reduction in UAE private-sector working hours during Ramadan and how to document a roster problem.
The direct answer
During Ramadan, normal working hours in the UAE private sector are reduced by two hours per day under the labour rules. The reduction concerns the normal daily schedule during the official Ramadan period; it should not be treated as annual leave or automatically recovered by adding unpaid time elsewhere.
A practical checklist
1. Check the official Ramadan dates
The start and end follow the UAE moon-sighting announcement. Use the official calendar rather than a predicted date when planning payroll or attendance.
2. Compare the normal and Ramadan roster
Save the ordinary schedule, revised Ramadan roster and attendance record. Check whether the two-hour reduction has actually been applied each working day.
3. Separate overtime from normal hours
If work continues beyond the reduced normal hours, record the instruction and time worked. Whether additional pay is due depends on the labour rules and the employee’s role.
4. Raise a clear payroll question
Ask HR to explain the roster and payslip in writing. If the reduction is consistently denied, contact MOHRE with the contract, schedules and attendance evidence.
Important: Reduced hours do not allow an employee to leave at an unagreed time. Follow the issued roster while using the official complaint route for a dispute.
Before you act
The UAE Government states that private-sector working hours are reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan. Sector-specific scheduling and excluded job categories should be checked with MOHRE.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 13 October 2026 against UAE Government — Ramadan ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.