Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has declared a four-day paid holiday for private sector employees in the United Arab Emirates, marking the observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha.

The holiday will commence on Thursday, June 5, and extend until Sunday, June 8, with normal working hours resuming on Monday, June 9.

For federal government employees, work is also scheduled to resume on Monday, June 9, following the holiday period.

In accordance with current labor laws, employees who are required to work during a public holiday are entitled to compensation.

This may take the form of an alternative day off or additional pay.

Specifically, if an employee is mandated to work during an official holiday, the employer is required to provide either another holiday or pay the employee the standard salary for that day, along with an increase of no less than 50 percent of the basic salary for that day.

Additionally, under the revised labor law guidelines, employees are guaranteed one weekly day off, which is not mandated to coincide with the traditional weekend of Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

In cases where a public holiday coincides with an employee’s designated weekly day off, no additional day off will be allocated to the employee.