Public holidays in the UAE are a time for celebration, but many residents often wonder what happens when these holidays fall on weekends. The rules around transferring public holidays are clearly outlined, helping employees and employers understand their entitlements.
Dubai: Public holidays in the UAE are among the most anticipated days of the year, giving residents and citizens an opportunity to celebrate national events, religious occasions, and enjoy long weekends. But every year, one recurring question surfaces in workplaces and households alike: what happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend?
According to UAE labour regulations, employees in the private sector are entitled to fully paid public holidays as declared by the UAE Cabinet. Yet, when these holidays overlap with Saturdays or Sundays—days that are already considered weekends for most people—the rules can differ depending on the sector of employment.
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In the public sector, the approach tends to be more flexible. When a holiday coincides with a weekend, authorities often announce an alternative day off. For instance, when New Year’s Day or National Day has previously fallen on a Saturday, the following Sunday or Monday was declared an official holiday for government employees.
By contrast, the private sector does not always receive such adjustments. Whether employees get a replacement day off depends entirely on the official announcement from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). If no alternative holiday is declared, the day is considered to have merged with the weekend, and no additional leave is granted.
Labour law also specifies that if private sector employees are required to work on an official public holiday, they must be compensated. Employers can either provide an alternative rest day or additional pay, ensuring that employees’ rights are maintained even if the holiday overlaps with a regular working schedule.
Each year, the UAE Cabinet issues an official list of public holidays applicable across the country. This list includes both fixed Gregorian calendar dates, such as New Year’s Day (January 1) and UAE National Day (December 2–3), as well as Islamic holidays such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, which are determined by moon sightings.
For residents, these announcements play a key role in planning family gatherings, travel, and vacations. Long weekends, in particular, are highly anticipated, leading to heavy demand in the tourism and hospitality sectors. As such, clarity on whether a holiday will be shifted when it falls on a weekend is not only a workplace issue but also an economic one, impacting hotels, airlines, and leisure businesses across the UAE.
Over the past decade, there have been multiple instances where public holidays have overlapped with weekends.
New Year’s Day 2023: The holiday fell on a Sunday. Government workers received Monday off, while many private sector employees resumed work as usual on January 2.
UAE National Day 2022: The long weekend included Friday and Saturday holidays. Since Sunday was already a weekend, no additional day was granted to most private sector workers, though public sector employees received Sunday as an extra day off.
Eid Holidays: Since Islamic holidays are dependent on moon sightings, they occasionally overlap with Fridays or Saturdays. In such cases, decisions regarding compensatory leave have varied, with the public sector more likely to benefit from adjustments than the private sector.
These variations often lead to confusion among employees, prompting the need for clearer awareness of official announcements.
Labour law experts stress that the official Cabinet resolution is the ultimate authority on holidays. “Employees should always rely on the official announcements from MoHRE and the Cabinet rather than workplace rumors or social media posts,” explained a Dubai-based legal consultant.
The law also protects employees from being asked to work without fair compensation. “If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, the employer is legally obliged to either provide a substitute holiday or compensate them with additional pay,” the consultant added.
For many UAE residents, the way public holidays are adjusted—or not adjusted—makes a significant difference.
“I work in the private sector, and last year when New Year’s Day fell on a Sunday, I was really hoping for Monday off. But we had to resume work. Meanwhile, my friends in the government sector enjoyed the long weekend,” said Rajesh, an accountant based in Sharjah.
Others take a more practical view. “Even if the holiday is on a Saturday, I feel grateful that we get multiple long weekends in a year,” said Fatima, a Dubai resident working in education. “Eid holidays are always special, no matter when they fall.”
Travel planners also note that the uncertainty can affect bookings. “Whenever there is a chance of an extended weekend, we see a huge spike in inquiries for staycations and short trips to nearby destinations. When the holiday merges with the weekend, there is some disappointment, but people still plan celebrations locally,” said a travel consultant in Dubai.
To avoid confusion, employees are advised to follow official announcements closely. Key points include:
Public holidays are granted as per the UAE Cabinet’s decision.
Alternative days off are more common in the public sector than in the private sector.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, private sector employees may or may not receive a replacement day, depending on the official declaration.
Working on a public holiday entitles employees to either an additional paid rest day or compensation in line with labour law.
For the UAE’s multicultural workforce, public holidays are more than just days off—they are occasions to celebrate traditions, enjoy family gatherings, or travel. As such, clarity from the authorities on whether holidays are transferable when they fall on weekends remains a subject of close public attention each year.
Ultimately, while the public sector often benefits from compensatory leave, private sector employees must rely on official announcements to know whether they will enjoy the same. Keeping track of the UAE’s annual holiday calendar, regularly updated by MoHRE and the Cabinet, remains the most reliable way for residents to plan ahead.
