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19 March 2024

3-day weekend for UAE: Thursday official paid holiday for private sector employees

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By Waheed Abbas/Wam

The Ministry of Labour has declared Thursday October 15, 2015 an official paid holiday for all private sector employees in the UAE to celebrate the coming Islamic Hijri New Year.

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This came following a statement issued by Saqr Ghobash, UAE Minister of Labour, according to provisions of Article 74 of the Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 concerning the regulation of labour relations and its amendments.

The minister sent his kindest regards to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and their Highnesses members of the Supreme Council, Rulers of the Emirates on this occasion.

The Minister passed his regards to the people of the United Arab Emirates and residents congratulating them on the lovely occasion.

Dubai Media Office ‏tweeted confirming that Thursday, October 15, will be the Islamic New Year holiday for federal ministries and authorities in the State.

UAE residents had a long weekend last month on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, with the public sector enjoying a 4-day break (inclusive of weekend) while the private sector got a 3-day break.

Based on the Hijri calendar dates, the new Islamic year will begin this week, and is generally marked as a holiday for both public and private sectors.

The New Islamic Year will begin on Thursday, October 15 and residents will have a three-day weekend.

Unlike Gregorian calendar which has fixed dates, the Hijri calendar goes according to the moon sighting.

Islamic new year holiday for federal ministries

Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, today (Sunday) issued a circular to all Federal Ministries and institutions regarding the Islamic New Year, 1437 Hijri, which may fall on Wednesday October 14, to be transposed, or compensated, to Thursday October 15.
 
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources' circular comes under the purview of the Council of Ministers' Decision No. 13 of 2012, based on the provisions of Paragraph No. 5 of Article 100 of the Implementing Regulations of Federal Law by Decree No. 11 of 2008, pertaining to human resources of the Federal Government and its amendments, which identify public holidays for Ministries and Federal Agencies in the state, including the Islamic New Year, and based on the provisions of Paragraph No. 6 of the same article, which states that any official holidays at the beginning or end of the week may be transferred if it falls between two working days.

Abu Dhabi Government announces Islamic New Year holiday

The holiday of Islamic New Year, 1437 Hijri, for departments and authorities of the Government of Abu Dhabi will be on Thursday, October 15.

Official duty will resume on Sunday October 18.

On this occasion, the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi conveyed its greetings and wished well for the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates. The Council also congratulated the UAE citizens, Arabs, and Muslim nations around the world.