As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has officially released the regulatory framework for government sector working hours. The new guidelines introduce a balanced approach, catering to both traditional civil servants and those hired under the specialized “Competency Program.”

Government Sector Schedule:

For employees under the Civil Service Law, the official workday has been condensed to 5 hours, starting from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. To ensure operational flexibility, the Ministry has empowered relevant Ministers to shift the start or end times by up to two hours, provided that each department announces its specific schedule internally.

​The "Competency Program" & Contractors:

Distinguishing between employment tracks, the Ministry clarified that those on "Competency Program" contracts, as well as Undersecretaries and Assistant Undersecretaries, will maintain a 6-hour workday during the holy month.

​Eid Al-Fitr Holiday Breakdown:

The Ministry also outlined the vacation schedule to help families plan ahead:

• ​Civil Service Employees: Leave begins at the end of the shift on Thursday, Ramadan 23, and concludes by the end of Tuesday, Shawwal 5.

• ​Contractors: Their holiday is governed by Cabinet Decree No. 13, spanning between 4 to 5 working days.

​Remote Work Flexibility:

In a progressive move to maintain workflow harmony, top officials in government entities have the authority to transition contractors to remote work during the extra days granted to civil servants as holidays. This ensures that operations remain seamless while respecting the contractual differences between various employment schemes.