The United Arab Emirates has declared January 1 as a public sector holiday, providing a three-day weekend to employees of all ministries and federal institutions.
"All ministries and federal entities have been advised to observe the New Year holiday on Saturday, [January 1, 2022], with official duties resumed on Monday, [January 3]," the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said on Sunday.
"The announcement, made Sunday in a circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, is based on the federal government sector's new weekday work system."
Earlier this month, the UAE stated that it would transition to a four-and-a-half-day workweek with a Saturday-Sunday weekend beginning in 2021 to align its economy with global markets better. However, private enterprises will be able to choose their workweek.
The oil-producing Gulf state, which serves as the region's commercial, trade, and tourism engine, currently operates on a Friday-Saturday weekend. However, beginning January 1, the weekend will start on Friday afternoon, including for schools, according to a government circular.
"Depending on the sector in which they operate and what suits and serves their business the best, each company can choose the weekend for their employees," Human Resources and Emiratisation Minister Abdulrahman al-Awar told Reuters.
Additionally, the government stated that the more extended weekend would help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The UAE stated that the move would "ensure seamless financial, trade, and economic transactions with countries that operate on a Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule, facilitating stronger international business connections and opportunities" for UAE-based and multinational enterprises.
The move will affect government agencies such as the central bank, which will convey the new working hours to commercial banks, Al-Awar explained, adding that the UAE stock exchanges would also become more integrated with global markets.
"This change will strengthen the UAE's banking sector's integration with the global banking community... it will close the gap that existed previously," he explained.
