UAE is moving to a 4.5-day working week, Saturday-Sunday weekend. Why?
The UAE government has announced that it will now be moving to system of four and a half working days in a week. Starting January 1, 2022, the country will switch its weekend from Friday-Saturday to Saturday-Sunday while turning Friday into a half-day. Other Gulf countries including Saudia Arabia follow a Sunday-Thursday working week.
Here is the UAE government's official announcment:
#UAE announces today that it will transition to a four and a half day working week, with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming the new weekend.All Federal government departments will move to the new weekend from January 1, 2022. pic.twitter.com/tQoa22pai9
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) December 7, 2021
WHY IS THE UAE MOVING TO A 4.5-DAY WORKING WEEK?
The announcment is in line with the UAE's attempt to become more aligned with the rest of the world. CEO of Dubai-based International Advisory Group Nabil Alyousuf told Bloomberg, "This will align the UAE with global markets and make it easier for international corporations to do business. This will increase the number of days we do business with the rest of the world, which will boost trade."
The decision is touted to make the UAE more attractive as a regional destination for foreign companies.
BUT, BUT, BUT...
There is a concern: this 4.5-day working week is only for the government right now. Private sectors are yet to conform to the new working week. It has not yet been clarified whether the private sector would also now function from Monday to Friday.
Unless the labour ministry issues a circular regularising this 4.5-day working week for everyone, private sectors aren't compelled to follow it.
FOUR DAYS' WORK AROUND THE WORLD
The four-day working week was also adopted by Iceland this year and has turned out to be an "overwhelming success". CNBC reported in July 2021 that about 85% of Iceland's population were working four days a week with no pay cut, which increased productivity and well being. A shorter week is also being tested in Sweden, Japan and Spain.
Workers in Iceland reported feeling less stressed and at a lower risk of burnout. They also said that their health and work-life balance had drastically improved. It was also reported that workers were able to spend more time with their families, perform household chores and take care of their hobbies.