UAE has officially adopted the western style of Monday to Friday working week.
The change which will take effect next month, affects the emirates including Abu Dhabi and the tourism hotspot of Dubai as UAE tries to attract more foreign businesses and compete with regional neighbours such as Saudi Arabia.
The government said in a statement that employees would work a half day on Friday, the Muslim holy day so they can attend prayers. It added that the new hours would bring its financial sector into closer alignment with the rest of the world.
Private sectors are likely to follow suit and schools will also move to the new system on the first day of next year’s term.
