Working practices during Ramadan and Eid

This article reflects on the changes which the Holy Month of Ramadan has on Qatar working practices and the public holidays of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

Ramadan
For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and wisdom. One way in which this is sought is through fasting from sunrise to sunset. In Qatar fasting is promoted and strictly observed. Many restaurants and food outlets will remain closed during the fasting period.

During Ramadan the majority of Qatar employees who work in the private sector will work two hours less each day as required by Qatar laws and regulations. The normal working day of eight hours will be reduced to six hours. Employees may still work two hours per day overtime and the usual overtime rates will apply. It is important to note that reduced working hours are for all employees whether or not they are Muslim and/or fasting during Ramadan.

Compliance with Qatar laws and regulations during Ramadan in relation to reduced working hours is promoted and observed in the same way as it is for fasting. The Labour Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is the pertinent Government agency with regulation and enforcement responsibility and is the place for employers to refer any questions they may have in relation to their Ramadan working policies and procedures.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Employment Regulations which govern the employment of all individuals employed by the Qatar Finance Centre Authority, QFC Regulatory Authority and the entities licensed and regulated by those authorities provide for reduced working hours for fasting employees only. All other employees will work normal hours as agreed between the employer and the employee. Where employees fast and work normal hours they will be permitted the usual rest breaks.

Ramadan working hours for Government or public sector employees are set by the Minister or his authorised representative in the respective Qatar Ministries, quasi-Government entities and other Government agencies. Working hours will usually be confirmed shortly in advance of Ramadan.

Eid
The start date and duration of Eid holidays may differ depending on whether an employee is employed in accordance with the provisions of the Qatar Labour Law, or other regulations such as the QFC Employment Regulations, which govern the employment of the majority of private sector employees or the Human Resources Law which governs the employment of public sector employees. There are other such laws and regulations which govern the start date and duration of Eid holidays, but these are not referred to in this article.

The Qatar Labour Law provides for a three day public holiday for each of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. In addition the QFC has in the past announced a long Eid holiday for Eid Al-Adha which includes Arafat Day. This additional day is one of the three ‘floating’ public holidays referred to in the Qatari Labour law.

The Human Resources Law provides that public holidays amongst other things will be determined by a Council of Ministers’ resolution. Generally employees whose employment is subject to the Human Resources Law enjoy longer holidays than other employees in Qatar. Eid holidays in Qatar are officially announced on or shortly before they are due to begin. This year public sector holidays for Eid Al-Fitr are expected to start on July 23rd and finish when the Ministries reopen on August 3rd, but these dates could change as the holiday approaches.

Note: all Qatari Laws (save for those issued by, eg. the QFC to regulate its own business), are issued in Arabic and there are no official translations, therefore for the purposes of drafting this article Clyde & Co LLP has used its own translation and interpreted the same in the context of Qatari laws, regulation and current market practice.