The UAE has said that January 2 will be an official holiday next year, giving federal employees a three-day weekend to start the new year.
As of January 1, 2022, the weekend will fall on Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday, January 2 an official holiday for government workers.
It was announced as part of the weekend changes being brought in for next year.
Private company employees will also benefit from the long weekend, as long as their employer is also changing to the new work week.
January 1 remains an official holiday for both the private and the government sectors.
The UAE had enjoyed a bumper long weekend for the country's 50th National Day celebrations but before the latest announcement the next public holiday was not to have been for five months.
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Children enjoy the water feature at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
An air display by the Al Fursan team wows the crowds at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
The UAE's 50th National Day show in Hatta. Photo: Dubai Media Office -
Hatta's Golden Jubilee show reflected the country's 'early dreamers' who began the story of the Emirates. Victor Besa / The National -
Burj Khalifa in Dubai illuminated in the colours of the national flag. Pawan Singh / The National -
A group of children celebrate National Day at the dhow monument on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Colours of the World Parade during Golden Jubilee celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A visitor to Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
(L-R) Anju Jacob, Evelyn and Sebin Dcruz in the flag garden near Kite Beach, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Fireworks light up the night sky at the UAE's 50th National Day celebrations in Hatta. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The UAE flag is illuminated in Hatta. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Part of the UAE's 50th National Day extravaganza in Hatta. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Golden Jubilee show which reflects on the country's "early dreamers" who began the story of the Emirates. Victor Besa / The National -
Artists perform during the celebration of the 50th UAE National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA -
Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi displays an image of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Proud Emirati children wave the UAE flag from a sunroof in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National -
The Al Fursan team put on a dazzling display. Victor Besa / The National. -
From left: Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend the Federal Supreme Council meeting, at the Sheikh Rashid Palace in Hatta, Dubai, on Thursday. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
A lerge crowd watched a spectacular fireworks display over the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
People soaking up the atmosphere on the Abu Dhabi Corniche on National Day. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
The next public holiday after January is a five-day break which will mark the end of Ramadan in 2022, most likely to fall on May 1, depending on which night the new crescent moon is sighted.
The decision to adapt the working week "will better align the Emirates with global markets, reflecting the country’s strategic status on the global economic map", the UAE Government Media Office said. The new long weekend will "boost productivity and improve work-life balance", it said.
The country's working week last changed in 2006, when the weekend was moved from Thursday-Friday to the current Friday-Saturday pattern. The move brought the Emirates in line with global markets at a time when the economy was growing rapidly.
The private sector, public and private schools shifted their working pattern on the same day in September 2006.
Between 1971 and 1999, the country had an official six-day working week, with only Friday as a government-mandated day off.
Thursday was added to create a two-day weekend in 1999.
