Private sector employees in the UAE can enjoy an extended three-day weekend this year in celebration of the UAE National Day. Initially, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation had declared December 2 and 3 as paid holidays for the private sector. However, in an update on Thursday, the ministry announced that December 4 (Monday) would also be a holiday for private sector workers.
This means that private sector employees will have a long weekend from Saturday, December 2 to Monday, December 4. Work will resume on Tuesday, December 5.
Government employees have also been granted the same holiday break, spanning from December 2 to 4. Additionally, most government employees will be working remotely on Friday, December 1, as Fridays are typically half-days due to the 4.5-day work week in the public sector.
This unified holiday policy is designed to ensure that both public and private sector workers enjoy equal holiday breaks throughout the year. The UAE National Day, also referred to as Union Day, commemorates the unification of the Emirates in 1971. This year, the UAE celebrates its 52nd National Day.