UAE Ramadan 2026 Working Hours and Public Conduct Laws Explained
Ramadan 2026 working hours in the UAE have been officially announced. If you are working in the private sector, the public sector, or within financial free zones such as DIFC or ADGM, the rules are not identical. And if you are wondering whether eating or drinking in public during fasting hours is still illegal, the answer may surprise you.
This guide breaks down the legal framework behind Ramadan working hours, clarifies how the rules differ across jurisdictions, and explains the current law on public conduct during fasting hours.
Summary of the Legal Framework in the UAE
Ramadan working hours in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, along with official announcements from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
Under UAE Labour Law, private sector working hours must be reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan. For Ramadan 2026, federal public sector employees will work from 9 AM to 2:30 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to 12 PM on Fridays, with flexible and remote work options encouraged.
Free zones such as DIFC and ADGM follow their own employment regulations, and the entitlement to reduced hours differs from mainland rules.
Separately, since the introduction of Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021, eating or drinking in public during Ramadan fasting hours is no longer a criminal offence in the UAE.
Importance and Practical Impact
Why does this matter?
Because Ramadan affects daily operations across the UAE, from office schedules to remote work patterns to HR compliance obligations. Employers who fail to reduce hours in the private sector are breaching federal labour law. Employees who are unsure of their entitlements may be working longer than legally required.
And the public conduct reform? That reflects a broader evolution in the UAE legal system. Before 2021, eating publicly during fasting hours could lead to criminal penalties. Today, that is no longer the case. Social norms still exist, of course. But the legal risk has been removed.
So whether you are an employee, employer, HR manager, or business owner, these distinctions are not academic. They shape your day to day operations.
Key Provisions You Should Know
1. Private Sector Working Hours
Under UAE Labour Law No. 33 of 2021, all private sector employees are entitled to:
- A mandatory reduction of two working hours per day during Ramadan
- This applies regardless of whether the employee is fasting
- It applies across all Emirates
- It does not require special application or approval
This rule is issued annually in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, but it is grounded in statutory law.
2. Public Sector Working Hours for Ramadan 2026
For federal government employees:
- Monday to Thursday: 9 AM to 2:30 PM
- Friday: 9 AM to 12 PM
- Up to 70 percent may work from home on Fridays
- Flexible and remote work patterns are encouraged
These hours are confirmed through official announcements by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
3. DIFC Employment Rules During Ramadan
The Dubai International Financial Centre operates under its own employment framework.
In DIFC, reduced Ramadan hours apply only to Muslim employees. Non-Muslim employees in DIFC are not automatically entitled to reduced hours unless provided for in company policy or employment contract. This is a jurisdictional distinction. DIFC is not governed by the federal Labour Law in the same way as mainland employers.
4. ADGM Employment Rules During Ramadan
The Abu Dhabi Global Market has a slightly stricter approach. In ADGM, reduced working hours apply only to:
- Muslim employees
- Who are observing the fast
Both DIFC and ADGM operate under independent legal systems, which explains the divergence. If you are working in one of these financial free zones, it is essential to check the applicable employment regulations rather than assume mainland rules apply.
5. Eating and Drinking in Public During Ramadan
Here is the key legal point: eating or drinking in public during Ramadan fasting hours is no longer a criminal offence in the UAE.
Under the previous Criminal Law No. 3 of 1987, Article 313, public consumption during fasting hours could result in:
- Up to one month of detention
- A fine of up to AED 10,000
That law was repealed in 2021.
The current Penal Code, Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021, contains no such provision. That said, while the criminal prohibition has been removed, social etiquette and workplace policies may still apply. Legal compliance and cultural sensitivity are not always the same thing.
Penalties for Non Compliance
1. Employment Law Violations
If an employer fails to comply with Ramadan working hour reductions under mainland UAE Labour Law:
- It may constitute a breach of federal employment law
- Administrative penalties can apply
- Employees may file complaints through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
2. DIFC and ADGM Context
In DIFC and ADGM, compliance is governed by their respective employment regulations. Penalties depend on the specific free zone enforcement mechanisms.
3. Public Eating and Drinking
There are currently no criminal penalties under Federal Decree Law No. 31 of 2021 for public eating or drinking during Ramadan fasting hours
Reporting Employment Violations
If you believe an employer is not complying with Ramadan working hour requirements on the mainland:
- Raise the issue internally with HR first
- If unresolved, submit a complaint through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Attend mediation or labour dispute procedures if required
For DIFC and ADGM employees, complaints must be filed through the relevant free zone authority.
How LYLAW Can Help
Ramadan employment rules may seem straightforward at first glance. Two hours less. Shorter Fridays. No criminal penalties for public eating. Simple enough.
But once you factor in jurisdictional differences between mainland UAE, DIFC, and ADGM, things can become complicated quickly. Especially for businesses operating across multiple entities or free zones.
LYLAW, a leading Dubai based law firm, advises employers and employees on:
- Labour law compliance during Ramadan
- Free zone employment regulations
- Workplace policy structuring
- Dispute resolution and regulatory representation
If you are unsure whether your company is applying the correct Ramadan working hours, or if you need clarity on employment rights within DIFC or ADGM, seeking legal advice early can save significant time and risk later.
Ramadan Kareem, and may the month ahead be both peaceful and compliant.
