New Year holidays in UAE: 3 days off for government, private sector

Public and private sector employees in the UAE will have three days holidays in the beginning of the New Year 2015, and this will include the birthday of The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) 1436 H.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, a top official from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that employees of both the government and private sectors will have three days holidays from Thursday [January 1, 2015] to Saturday [January 3, 2015]. Work will resume on Sunday [January 4].

“The first day of the New Year 2015 will be Thursday [January 1] and the Birthday of The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) 12th of Rabi' Al-Awwal 1436 H will be on  Saturday [January 3].  Both holidays will be working days (Thursday for government sector and Saturday for private sector), in addition to the weekly off day - Friday. Therefore, the two days of holiday will be paid vacation days, pursuant to the provision of Article 47 of the Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 on regulation of labour relationships.”

He added: “Meanwhile , the holiday of the occasion of The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) will be on Saturday [January 3],which is already an off day for government sector employees. Thus, it will not be transferred to Sunday.”

He pointed out that this action comes under item No. 6 of Article 100 of the Ministerial Council decision No. 13 for the year 2012 on the regulations of the Federal Law No. 11 of 2008 on Human Resources of the Federal Government and its amendments. It says that in the event the holiday coincides with an official holiday or weekend, then it will not be transferred to another working day.”

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