Oman announces public sector work hours for Ramadan

Oman has announced public sector working hours for the coming holy month of Ramadan.

The announcement follows the confirmation of hours for employees in the private sector.

Minister of the diwan of royal court Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi said official working hours for ministries, public authorities and other departments would be 9:00am to 2:00pm.

The Ministry of Manpower said on Tuesday private sector Muslim employees would have a six hour working day but did not specify timings.

Read: Oman announces private sector work hours for Ramadan

Oman is the first country in the Gulf to announce when it will mark the beginning of Ramadan.

The country’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said on Sunday that the holy month would fall on Thursday, May 17 due to concerns the moon would not be visible nationwide on Tuesday evening the 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.

Read: UAE authority announces Ramadan work hours

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