UAE considering changing working week to Monday-Friday: report

The UAE is considering shifting to a Monday-to-Friday working week as part of efforts to harmonise office hours with the global economy, The Times newspaper has reported.

Talks are said to have taken place on shifting from a Sunday to Thursday work week, with Friday being the traditional Muslim day of rest.

The issue has been the subject of intense speculation by expatriate communities who form at least 80 percent of the country's population.

One idea being proposed is that civil servants work a half-day, with the private sector working a full day, according to The Times.

News that the Gulf country could abolish the traditional Islamic holiday of Friday has drawn a polarised reaction among Muslim citizens and residents, given that the day is marked by worship and family gatherings.

While Emirati authorities are yet to issue an official statement confirming or denying the claims, it comes after the Gulf state introduced other reforms, including the decriminalisation of alcohol and cohabitation.

Earlier this year, state media clarified the rumor about a change to the working week.

Mohammed Jalal Al-Raisi, executive director of WAM, said that such news was “fake” and misled UAE residents.