• Federal government departments in the UAE will change their working week from January 1, 2022, with much of the country expected to follow suit.
    Federal government departments in the UAE will change their working week from January 1, 2022, with much of the country expected to follow suit.
  • The new Monday to Friday working week will mean residents have a two-and-a-half-day weekend. Silvia Razgova / The National
    The new Monday to Friday working week will mean residents have a two-and-a-half-day weekend. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Abu Dhabi and Dubai were the first emirates to adopt the weekend change with RAK, Fujairah and Sharjah following suit. Ravindranath K / The National
    Abu Dhabi and Dubai were the first emirates to adopt the weekend change with RAK, Fujairah and Sharjah following suit. Ravindranath K / The National
  • The weekend change means many institutions are rethinking their schedules. Some schools have already said they will adjust timetables accordingly. Ruel Pablo for The National
    The weekend change means many institutions are rethinking their schedules. Some schools have already said they will adjust timetables accordingly. Ruel Pablo for The National
  • Banks and financial institutions, such as the Dubai Financial Market, will work Monday to Friday. EPA
    Banks and financial institutions, such as the Dubai Financial Market, will work Monday to Friday. EPA
  • Questions remain over the new weekend changes, which will affect residents' schedules and way of life. Photo: Raffles Hotel Dubai
    Questions remain over the new weekend changes, which will affect residents' schedules and way of life. Photo: Raffles Hotel Dubai
  • Sports calendars are likely to be affected. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sports calendars are likely to be affected. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Mosques will hold Friday sermons and prayers at a fixed time, 1.15pm, with government employees having the option to work from home on this day. Satish Kumar / The National
    Mosques will hold Friday sermons and prayers at a fixed time, 1.15pm, with government employees having the option to work from home on this day. Satish Kumar / The National

UAE

UAE public holidays: Monday, January 3, first working day of 2022 due to weekend change

Government reminds public that there is an extra holiday on Sunday, January 2

The National

December 19, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Monday, January 3, will be the first day back to work in 2022 after a bumper holiday weekend, the government has reminded the public.

As announced earlier this month, the country will enjoy an extra public holiday on Sunday, January 2, as the new working week takes shape.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said Saturday and Sunday, January 1 and 2, are days off for the public sector. Private sector holidays are now the same as the public sector.

Much of the country, including federal and local government as well as schools, will move to a Monday to Friday working week, with Friday as a half day. Saturday and Sunday will be the new weekend for many.

Although many private-sector employers have yet to formally make the shift, most are expected to do so by January.

Updated: December 20, 2021, 1:12 PM