For a jobseeker, holidays rarely change a decision, but two details matter: whether working a holiday earns you time off in lieu or extra pay, and how holidays interact with your annual leave when you plan travel. Exact dates are declared close to the occasion and can differ slightly between the public and private sectors. Verify the current calendar and rules with the labour authority. How time off fits your wider rights: UAE CV format guide.
Public Holidays
Public holidays are the paid days off declared by the government for national and religious occasions, such as Eid, National Day, and the Islamic New Year. In the Gulf they are set and announced by the state, sometimes at short notice, and if you are required to work one you are generally entitled to a day off in lieu or premium pay.
Related terms
Full guides
Adil Dahmani
Adil Dahmani is the founder of Yalliq, the AI career copilot for Arabic-speaking professionals across MENA.