United Arab Emirates switches weekend to Saturday-Sunday from next year

The United Arab Emirates will switch its weekend to Saturday and Sunday as the Gulf country looks to bring itself more in line with the rest of the world.
 

The UAE’s government said it will adopt a 4-1/2 day working week, with Friday -- a holy day in Islam -- being a half day, from Jan. 1. The UAE and the rest of the Gulf nations currently have a Sunday-Thursday working week.

Investors have said a Monday-Friday working week could attract more foreign capital and boost liquidity on Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s stock markets.

#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