UAE private sector to get two-day Eid Al Fitr holiday

Sunday, 20 July 2014 1:48 PM

Muslims around the world will celebrate this week Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and it is a popular time to shop. (AFP/Getty Images)

Private sector workers in the UAE will be given two days off for Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The UAE Ministry of Labour said in a statement carried by official news agency WAM that the Eid Al Fitr holiday for all private sector employees will begin on the first and second days of Shawwal, with work resuming on the third day of Shawwal.

If astronomers across the Gulf who have predicted that Eid Al Fitr will fall on Monday July 28 are correct, workers will be given Monday and Tuesday off.

The holiday for the private sector is much less than the public sector which has been given a total of nine days off for Eid Al Fitr.

Earlier on Sunday, it was announced that UAE public sector workers would be on holiday from Sunday July 27 and would resume work on August 3.

Last week, it was confirmed Kuwaiti public sector workers have been given a nine-day holiday for Eid Al Fitr.

Other Gulf states are yet to announce their Eid Al Fitr holiday dates.

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Read All 17 Comments

Posted by: procan Monday, 21 July 2014 7:25 PM[UAE] - canada

Paul you might think about Independence Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day , New Years Day, Good Fri. These are the ones just off hand I am sure there are others . Paul how long since you have been home Buddy?

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Posted by: Paul Monday, 21 July 2014 6:26 PM[UAE] - Dubai

As a small business owner, every holiday affects my bottom line. Back in the USA, there are NO mandatory holidays and most workers get a week or 2 max as annual leave. Why should a business owner suffer because of holidays imposed on them? Workers here already enjoy long annual holidays as well as many religious holidays throughout the year. 2 days for Eid is already too long as it affects the profit margin

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Posted by: turk971 Monday, 21 July 2014 3:17 PM[UAE] - uae

China has declared holiday for both private and public sector from 31 Jan 2014 till 06 Feb 2014 for the Chinese Holiday (7 consecutive days). Again, it will declare holiday for both private and public sector on 01 Oct 2014 till 07 Oct 2014 (8 consecutive days). And this is happening every year. China must now be the poorest country in the world with all its private sectors losing so much money for their very long holidays twice in a year. Wait a minute, they just became the 2nd largest economy in the world surpassing Japan, didn't they?

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Posted by: Philip Monday, 21 July 2014 12:43 PM[UAE] - Dubai

Public sector holidays are paid holidays and the cost is covered by the government. This in turn is covered by the fees collected by the government from various sources but mainly the private sector companies. So these holidays for the public sector as well as the days given to the private sector ( paid holidays are a cost to private companies) a burden on private business owners. Employees who complain and want the same holidays as the public sector, remember your employer has to absorb these costs if they become too large and affect the bottom line , you may no longer have a job.

Posted by: Philip Tuesday, 22 July 2014 9:43 AM[UAE] - Dubai

Agreed private companies are not the major contributor to the public sector but it is an ever increasing part as new fees and charges are devised to generate income. Being part of a private company operating here since 1963 believe me the costs are forever escalating( as they do everywhere). We are getting a lot of services in return, I am not complaining about that as it is something you have to factor into operating costs but it is difficult to plan.
My main point was to people writing in to complain about the disparity between public and private sectors. The government does not pay for your days off , your employer does.

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Posted by: Mosa Monday, 21 July 2014 11:58 AM[UAE] - UAE

Emiratisation will never be accomplished with such a ridiculous gap. This needs to be settled amicably between the government and private sector industry officials. It is totally unfair in every aspect. Please also consider the fact that private sector works for longer hours too.
@Bemused: If you are not in favor, then you are a minority

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