If you are working or living in the UAE, you are probably aware that there are public holidays being observed. The public holidays in this country cover all employees from the public and private sectors and the dates have been announced for the year. Keep in mind though that as an Islamic country, some dates of the holidays would depend on the sighting of the moon. So it is important to stay updated with the news to check the announcements on when the actual holiday would take place. Here we share the list of UAE public holidays for the year.
Regardless of your position or the company you are working for, you have the right to take a day off during these holidays unless your company requests you to work. The standard rule is that you will have your special compensation during these public holidays. So, to understand the law better, this blog will be focused on the UAE Public Holidays this 2022.
Holidays are like free days. You will appreciate these days more if you are working. The dates vary per country and most of the time, employees don’t have to work during the holidays.
As an expat, you need to know the rights and privileges you are entitled to especially the days when you can rest. Rest is very vital to your health and unless you are really getting a day off, you can only enjoy a rest day if there are public holidays being celebrated. For those who are working in the UAE, here are the major details of the public holidays you should keep in mind.
What are the public holidays in the UAE this year?
This is the list of public holidays in the UAE this 2022:
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- 1 January: New Year
- 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal: Eid Al Fitr
- 9 Zul Hijjah: Arafah Day
- 10,11,12 Zul Hijjah: Eid Al Adha
- 30 July: Islamic New Year
- 8 October: Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) birthday
- 1 December: Commemoration Day
- 2 and 3 December: UAE National Day
NOTE: Keep in mind that these dates can change without prior notice and some holidays are based on Islamic culture. So the dates may vary depending on the sighting of the moon. The dates can be moved earlier or later. Employees usually get updates from their employers or from the government regarding the changes so you can rest assured that you will get notified.
Also, changes can happen when the holidays fall on, before, or after weekends. Don’t stress yourself out because of this. The change of schedule can mean long weekends!
Are you required to work during public holidays?
As per general rule, employees should not go to work during public holidays. But, if you are required by your private employer to work these days, you should still follow especially if you are in the retail or restaurant industry. There’s nothing wrong with this. Working on a holiday means greater pay for you because you will receive special compensation. Usually, it’s double pay.
You need to watch out for this because this is an important part of your employment. You should only work on holidays if you are getting special pay. If your employer tells you to work for your standard basic pay, that’s the time you need to remind your employer about the labour law stating about special pay on a working holiday. If he/she will insist you to work, you can always contact the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) for help.
What should you do during public holidays?
Well, there are a lot of things to do during the public holidays in the UAE. First, you have to prioritize your rest. Get more than 8 hours of sleep if you think you are tired from the past couple of days. If you are not getting enough sleep, this is the best time for you to recover. Spend public holidays at home and enjoy the comfort of your bed. Remember, the first thing you need is rest. You don’t want another set of activities that will tire your body.
If it’s going to be a long weekend, book a trip to a different city or country! This is your best chance to go on a tour alone, with your family, or with your friends. Just make sure you have enough money to spend on your trip so you can have a good tourist experience. If you are on a budget, you don’t have to leave the UAE. There are good tourist destinations in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, or even the other emirates. You just have to spot the right places for you so you won’t spend big during your travel. Public holidays are best spent outside your home!
Finally, you can go out, eat at a fancy restaurant and pamper yourself. Public holidays are opportunities for you to do self-care. If you have been exhausted because of your job, this is the time you have to make it up to yourself. Book a spa, go to a salon, get a facial, or spend a night in a hotel. There are many ways to pamper. You can spend half of your day at home and the half outside doing self-care activities.
Public holidays are important parts of your employment in the UAE. Make sure to use them wisely! If you have friends or family members in the country, don’t forget to share this article with them!