Oman announces private sector work hours for Ramadan

Private sector employees in Oman are to work just six hours a day during Ramadan, the country’s Ministry of Manpower has said.

The change applies to Muslim employees, who are fasting during the holy month, and will reduce their working week to 30 hours.

It was unclear if different hours would apply for non-Muslim workers.

Private sector staff in the Gulf region typically work nine hours a day from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

“All employees of the private sector take this blessed occasion to convey to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said the warmest congratulations and best wishes for His Majesty and that God preserve and provide him with good health, happiness and long life,” the ministry said in a statement to state-run Oman News Agency.

Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said on Monday that the country would mark the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday, May 17 due to concerns the moon would not be visible nationwide on Tuesday evening next week.

Read: Oman announces Ramadan start date

Astronomers in Kuwait and Sharjah have also indicated May 17 will be the likely start date for the month of Ramadan.

In March, Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences said Ramadan would likely fall on May 17 with Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the month, expected on June 15.

Read: Ramadan likely to begin on May 17

Last week, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority announced shorter school hours for the holy month with students finishing classes by 1:30pm.

Read: Dubai announces shorter school hours for Ramadan

A similar announcement was made by the UAE Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) regarding public sector working hours. Staff will work from 9:00am to 2:00pm during the Ramadan period.

Read: UAE authority announces Ramadan work hours