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The United Arab Emirates changed the work week in early 2022 to better align with the rest of the world. The government’s goal is to improve the work-life balance of its citizens and solidify Dubai’s position as a business hub in the Middle East. But do its residents think the change is working?
The United Arab Emirates government changed the workweek in the country with only three and a half weeks’ notice. Government employees will work from Monday to Friday, with a flexible half-day on Friday, unlike the previous Sunday-Thursday work week.
Although the decision was sudden, it was not unexpected. This is one of many initiatives by the authorities aimed at boosting the post-pandemic UAE economy and helping it stand out from its neighbours.
It’s also not the first time the country has changed weekends. The UAE made Friday a weekly holiday as early as 1971, and it was not until 1999 that Thursday was added to make it a two-day weekend. Then in 2006, the weekend was changed to Friday and Saturday.
Steven Valentino is the CEO and founder of The London Project, a Dubai-based restaurant specializing in brunch. The Friday brunch, popular with champagne-drinking tourists and a mainstay of the city’s “work hard, play hard” residents, has now been moved to Saturday.
“When I talk to people who’ve been here for a long time, it’s hard for them to adapt. You do notice the change, but I think really, everyone adapts very quickly,” Valentino said.
So how many private companies are following the change? How does it affect the UAE’s relations with other countries in the region? Watch our video above to learn more.
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