Four-day weekend to celebrate Eid

EXTENDED WEEKEND: The UAE private sector has been granted a holiday on the first two days of Eid Al-Fitr. (Getty Images)

The UAE private sector can look forward to an extended four-day weekend to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr after the labour ministry announced a two day holiday to mark the occasion.

The Ministry of Labour announced on Tuesday the sector has been granted a holiday on the first and second days of Eid Al-Fitr, state news agency WAM reported.

Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, will start on the Oct. 1 for countries that started Ramadan on Sept. 1, according to astronomers.

Astronomical studies by the Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) and the Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP) revealed last week that the last day of Ramadan will fall on Sept. 30 in the UAE and Eid will begin the following day.

With Eid falling on a Wednesday it means most of the private sector will not go back to work until the following Sunday, Oct. 5.

WAM reported on Monday that all public sector employees in the UAE will enjoy one week off work from next Monday to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr.

All ministries and federal government institutions will be closed from Sept. 29 until Oct. 5, according to a circular issued by Civil Service Commission Chairman Humaid Mohammed Al-Qattami, the news agency said.

Kuwait's Civil Services Commission has announced that the Eid Al-Fitr holiday is set from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.

The labour ministry in Saudi Arabia has announced that employees of private companies are entitled to a minimum of four days each of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays this year.

THE Eid Al-Fitr holidays for ministries and government departments in Qatar will start from Sept. 28 and end on Oct. 6, it has been announced.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Why is there a difference again ...
Posted by Mustadxb, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 25 September 2008 at 01:09 UAE time


Hi Folks, I am wondering why there is a difference between public and private sector in terms of off days number for Eid holidays ? Anybody assist me to understand.

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM