The government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to implement a new four-and-a-half-day work week on January 1, 2022.

Key facts

• United Arab Emirates has become the first country in the world to implement a national work week which is shorter than five-day week across the world.
• The new work week will be implemented as part of government’s efforts to enhance social wellbeing and boost work-life balance.
• This change will affect federal government institutions.
• It will be accompanied by new working hours as states below:

1. Monday to Thursday will be workdays, starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.
2. Friday work hours will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 12:00 pm.

• Apart from this change, Friday sermons and prayers will start at 1:15 pm across the UAE.