The United Arab Emirates has shortened the working week in the public sector by half a day to 4.5 days per week since Jan. 1, 2022.
The weekend is also to be shifted from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday. The reduction is intended to improve work-life balance and economic competitiveness. The scheme will initially affect federal government agencies, the civil service of several emirates and schools.
The reduced workweek will make the Emirates to the first nation in the world that introduces a national workweek of less than the usual five days.