Dubai, UAE – February 26, 2026: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has presented its flexible working plan which enables organizations to maintain economic output while supporting their employees’ physical and spiritual requirements during Ramadan celebrations in the UAE. The government requests that private sector companies establish contemporary work environments which extend beyond their current mandatory hour reductions which began after Ramadan started on Wednesday, February 18.
The Core of the Flexible Working Plan
All private sector employees already possess the right to receive two working hours during Ramadan according to UAE Labor Law (Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021). The 2026 flexible working plan requires employers to establish additional work accommodations, which include remote work and staggered shifts to support employees who observe fasting.
According to MOHRE a successful flexible working plan during this period should include
- Remote Work Adoption: The company should allow employees to work from home during approved reduced hours which include Fridays.
- Thoughtful Task Allocation: Management should evaluate how fasting will affect employees when they assign work tasks and establish deadlines.
- Adjusted Fieldwork: Outdoor labor businesses should conduct fieldwork during safe morning and late evening hours to protect their workers.
The plan shows that organizations can achieve their objectives through flexible working arrangements because they create an environment which encourages personnel to work together while essential business processes remain uninterrupted.
Comparison: Public vs. Private Sector Hours
The flexible working plan establishes sector divisions that show how different sectors will evolve between 2026 period.
- Public Sector: Government employees work from 9:00 AM until 2:30 PM on Monday to Thursday and from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Fridays, while they can work remotely on the last day of their work week.
- Private Sector: The MOHRE flexible working plan allows businesses to deliver extra remote-work benefits which exceed the two-hour workday reduction from standard eight-hour workdays.
Building a Professional Culture of Respect
The MOHRE announced through X (formerly Twitter) that their flexible working plan program exists to implement the values which the Holy Month establishes through its observance of solidarity and giving. Employee health protections in the workplace, together with family time support lead to higher employee loyalty and workplace morale according to companies who operate such environments.
The Ministry tracks all businesses throughout the month to verify their compliance with maximum working hour rules while they execute the flexible working plan across various sectors. This initiative reflects Dubai’s broader vision of creating a world-class, human-centric labor market that can adapt to cultural traditions while remaining globally competitive.
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