Public sector employees will work from 9am to 2pm during Ramadan, according to a Cabinet directive.
The announcement, by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, was made on Wam, the UAE’s news agency.
The working day will be reduced by two hours for employees in the private sector during the holy month, according to Nasser Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The school day will also be shortened by two hours during Ramadan, Dubai's education regulator, the KHDA.
Classes will start between 8.00am to 8.30am and finish between 1.00pm to 1.30pm, with shorter breaks as required.
Ramadan is expected to begin on May 6, although an official announcement will not be made until closer to the time.
The Moon Sighting Committee will begin searching for the new crescent moon after Maghrib prayers on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the Islamic month preceding Ramadan. If it cannot be seen, or is known using calculations to not be in the sky, it will be considered to be the 30th day of the month.
But if the new crescent is spotted, Ramadan will begin the following day.
