What are the working hours during Ramadan in the UAE private sector?
Two hours a day shorter than normal. Article 15 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, which implements the labour law, reduces regular working hours by two hours during the holy month of Ramadan. A worker on an eight-hour day works six hours for the same wage.
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What does not change
The wage stays the same, because the reduction is in the statutory working hours, not a period of unpaid leave. Overtime rules still apply: hours worked beyond the reduced day are overtime and are paid with the premium in Article 19 of the labour law.
Planning a site through Ramadan
With two hours fewer per worker per day, output drops unless the contractor adds workers or approved overtime. Programmes and cost forecasts for the month should reflect this, and overtime should be approved in advance so it is paid correctly.
How SupaJack Construct handles it
The working hours policy carries a Ramadan reduction, set to two hours by default, alongside the 8-hour day, 48-hour week, 2-hour overtime cap and the 10 pm to 4 am night window. Time beyond the shorter day is classified as overtime and reaches payroll only after a manager approves it.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A labourer normally works 7:00 to 16:00 with an hour's break, eight hours. In Ramadan his normal day is six hours. If the site keeps him for eight hours, the last two are overtime at his basic hourly wage plus at least 25%.
Questions people ask
Is pay reduced in Ramadan?
No. Hours are reduced, the wage is not.
Does it apply to non-Muslim workers?
Article 15 reduces regular working hours during Ramadan without distinguishing by religion.
Is work beyond the shorter day overtime?
Yes, under Article 19 of the labour law.