UAE to have 2 and half day weekend starting January 2022
Four and half day working week model
Dubai: The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday its official workweek will move to Monday to Friday, a major change that brings the Islamic nation that is home to major financial institutions in line with Western schedules.
The decision, which is to take effect next month, makes the Gulf Arab state, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, one of the few places in the Middle East to operate on Western hours instead of on a Sunday through Thursday working week.
Government employees would work a half-day on Friday, the traditional Muslim holy day, and then take Saturday and Sunday off, the announcement said.
The government shift likely will see private industry and schools follow suit, as they did in 2006, when the week changed from Saturday to Wednesday an Islamic workweek followed in some Muslim countries, such as Iran and Afghanistan.
The Emirati government hailed the decision as making it the first nation in the world to introduce a national working week shorter than the global five-day week a reference to Friday becoming only a half-day workday.
The extended weekend comes as part of the UAE's government efforts to boost work-life balance and enhance social wellbeing, the statement added.
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India has efficiently managed situation arising out of Gulf war, Cong trying to spread panic: PM
Gandhinagar/Sanand/Tharad (PTI): As the West Asia war rages, India has successfully kept the situation under control with its strong foreign policy and collective strength of citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday and accused the Congress of attempting to exploit the
conflict for domestic political gains.
Like "Rajneeti ke gidh" (vultures of politics), the Congress is attempting to exploit the West Asia conflict by triggering panic among people for political gains though India has managed the situation arising out of the more than month-long war effectively, he asserted.
During his day-long visit to Gujarat, the PM travelled to Gandhinagar, Sanand and Vav Tharad district and inaugurated a semiconductor plant, museum and addressed gatherings. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects totalling Rs 19,806.9 crore during the visit.
Addressing a large gathering at Nani village in the newly created Vav Tharad district, Modi accused Congress of indulging in rumour-mongering and trying to instigate people to queue up at fuel pumps and spread public disorder.
"Today, when the nation requires unity and solidarity, Congress leaders are actively engaged in divisive politics. When the nation needs reassurance, the Congress is busy spreading fear and rumours. When the nation calls for restraint, the Congress wants to incite people," Modi stated.
Referring to the global situation, Modi said while many countries are engulfed in war, unrest and instability, India has demonstrated resilience and unity.
"India has always possessed a unique strength. No matter how difficult the times may be, our nation stands united," he said.
Referring to the West Asia situation triggered by the joint US-Israel attacks on Iran on February 28, , Modi noted the conflict has widespread global repercussions, especially on energy supplies.
"Difficulties regarding energy requirements, especially diesel, petrol and gas, have intensified globally. Yet, even amidst such a crisis, India has successfully kept the situation under control with its strong foreign policy and collective strength of its citizens," the Prime Minister added.
He said attempts by some political parties to score political points during a global crisis were unfortunate, and at the forefront of this political conspiracy is the Congress party.
Modi pointed out that while fuel prices have surged by 10 to 25 per cent in many countries, India has ensured that its people are protected from the impact of rising crude rates.
During his visit to Sanand in Ahmedabad district, Modi inaugurated Kaynes Semicon's outsourced semiconductor plant, and said India is strengthening its role as a reliable chip supplier in the global market.
He noted the 21st Century has brought several challenges and global supply chains have been affected due to conflicts, emphasising that his government is laying a strong foundation for technology and energy security in the coming decades.
Addressing a gathering at Sanand, Modi emphasised India is actively building a robust semiconductor ecosystem and simultaneously making significant efforts to establish a resilient supply chain for raw materials.
"India is actively building a robust semiconductor ecosystem and simultaneously making significant efforts to establish a resilient supply chain for raw materials. India's participation in Pax Silica is a testament to this very endeavour. Working in tandem with our global partners, we aim to ensure a secure supply chain," Modi added.
India recently joined Pax Silica, a US-led strategic coalition launched in December 2025 to secure critical technology supply chains, with a special focus on semiconductors, AI, and rare earth elements.
"Furthermore, to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals, India has launched the National Critical Minerals Mission," Modi stated.
The PM referred to the announcement of a 'rare earth corridor' in this year's Budget, encompassing coastal states such as Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Keralam.
"This corridor will serve as an integrated network, forging a robust value chain spanning mining, refining, and manufacturing. Our objective is to establish a national reserve of critical minerals within the country," he maintained.
Observing that India is leading the world in terms of AI adoption, Modi stated that Indians explore technology, and that the success of Digital India and the excellent work being done in Fintech shows Indians' trust in technology.
"India's AI ecosystem stands to benefit significantly from the emergence of our semiconductor ecosystem. The India of the 21st century is moving forward not merely as a witness to change, but with a firm resolve to lead that change. Our policies and decisions are laying a strong foundation for the technology and energy security of the coming decades," he said.
Earlier in the day, the PM inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum, located on Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra campus at Koba village near Gandhinagar, on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi noted the newly built museum sends a strong message of peace and non-violence at a time when the world is "engulfed in the flames of instability and unrest".
Referring to the current global situation, Modi said the legacy and message of the museum are significant not just for India but for entire humanity.
"Given the current global scenario - the way the world is being scorched in the fires of instability and unrest - the legacy and message of this museum hold immense significance," he said.
The museum reflects India's core strength of diversity and unity, bringing together traditions such as the Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, Yoga and other philosophical streams, the PM noted.
