Ramadan Working Hours for Nannies & Maids in the UAE (2026) | Yaya

Short answer: No. Unlike private sector employees, domestic workers in the UAE are not legally entitled to reduced working hours during Ramadan. The mandatory two-hour daily reduction under Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 applies only to private sector employees regulated by MOHRE — not to nannies, maids, or other domestic staff governed by the separate Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022 on Domestic Workers. However, adjusting your helper's schedule during Ramadan is widely considered best practice and aligns with the spirit of the holy month.

Last updated: February 2026 | Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on February 18 or 19, with fasting hours starting at approximately 12 hours 46 minutes and extending to around 13 hours 26 minutes by month's end.

What UAE Law Actually Says About Ramadan Working Hours

There are two separate labour laws in the UAE, and confusing them is the most common mistake families make.

Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 governs private sector employment. Under Article 17(4) and Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, all private sector employees must receive a mandatory two-hour reduction in daily working hours during Ramadan. This applies regardless of religion, role, or whether the employee is fasting. A standard 8-hour day becomes 6 hours, and any time worked beyond that is overtime compensated at 125% of the basic hourly wage.

Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022 governs domestic workers — including nannies, maids, housekeepers, cooks, drivers, and gardeners employed in private households. This law contains no provision for reduced working hours during Ramadan. Under this law, domestic workers are entitled to 12 hours of rest per day (of which 8 must be consecutive), one paid day off per week, and a maximum working day that should not exceed 12 hours including rest periods. But none of these entitlements change during Ramadan.

This distinction matters because domestic workers are explicitly excluded from the main UAE Labour Law, as outlined in the official UAE government guide to domestic worker rights. As confirmed by legal experts at Al Tamimi & Company, there is no legal obligation for employers to reduce a domestic worker's hours during Ramadan.

Why This Legal Gap Exists

The UAE's domestic worker law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022, updated by Federal Decree-Law No. 21/2023) was designed to address the unique nature of household employment — live-in arrangements, variable schedules, and the personal relationship between employer and worker. While it provides important protections around contracts, rest periods, leave, and end-of-service gratuity, it does not mirror every provision of the main labour law.

This is not unique to the UAE. Globally, domestic worker legislation tends to operate under separate frameworks, and Ramadan-specific provisions are uncommon even in countries with large Muslim populations.

Should You Reduce Your Helper's Hours Anyway?

Yes — and here is the practical case for doing so, beyond the moral argument.

If Your Helper Is Fasting

First, have the conversation. Do not assume your nanny or maid is or is not fasting. Many domestic workers in the UAE come from the Philippines, Ethiopia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Indonesia — some are Muslim, many are not. If they are fasting, the reality is significant: they are waking before sunrise for suhoor (typically around 5:00–5:30 AM during Ramadan 2026), abstaining from all food and water for approximately 13 hours, and managing household duties while energy levels drop sharply in the afternoon.

What to do if your helper is fasting:

• Reduce the working day by at least two hours, matching what private sector employees receive by law.
• Front-load heavier tasks (cleaning, laundry, cooking prep) to the morning when energy is highest.
• Allow a rest period in the early-to-mid afternoon, which is when fatigue peaks for fasting individuals.
• Ensure they can break their fast at the correct time — iftar is non-negotiable, and the timing shifts slightly each day.
• Allow time for Taraweeh prayers in the evening if they wish to attend.

If Your Helper Is Not Fasting

Even if your helper does not observe the fast, Ramadan typically brings a heavier workload. More guests, more iftar meals to prepare, more cleaning, and later nights mean your helper is likely working longer hours than usual — often without formal recognition. This is the period where burnout and resentment build, leading to the "quiet quitting" pattern that many families notice post-Ramadan.

What to do regardless of fasting status:

• Audit the actual hours your helper is working during Ramadan. If you are hosting iftars three times a week, that is real additional labour.
• Compensate extra hours fairly. The spirit of the law (even though it technically does not apply) suggests 125% of hourly rate for overtime. At minimum, offer bonus pay or additional time off.
• Consider hiring temporary help for large gatherings rather than loading everything onto one person.
• Offer a full rest day during Ramadan, particularly on Fridays or during the last ten days of Ramadan when spiritual observance intensifies.

A Practical Ramadan Schedule for Domestic Workers

Here is a sample adjusted schedule that balances household needs with your helper's wellbeing:

For a fasting live-in helper:

This gives approximately 7.5 hours of work with a built-in rest period — a reasonable adjustment that most households can accommodate.

For a non-fasting live-in helper during heavy iftar hosting:

Maintain normal hours but add a rest day for every week where significant additional hosting occurs, or pay a Ramadan bonus equivalent to the extra hours worked.

What the Yaya Explains Video Covers

In our latest Yaya Explains episode, we break down the key question — does Ramadan change your helper's working schedule? — in under 60 seconds. The core message: the law sets the minimum, but you set the standard. Find out if your helper is fasting (don't assume — have the conversation), shorten the day if they are, move heavier tasks to the morning, and if Ramadan means more guests and more meals, recognise the extra work and compensate for it.

Share it with your partner or anyone in your household who manages your helper's schedule — it is a 60-second conversation starter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are domestic workers entitled to reduced hours during Ramadan in the UAE?

No. The mandatory two-hour daily reduction under UAE labour law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021) applies to private sector employees only. Domestic workers fall under a separate law (Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022) that does not include a Ramadan hours provision. However, reducing hours voluntarily is strongly recommended.

Can I be fined for not reducing my maid's hours during Ramadan?

No. Since domestic workers are not covered by the Ramadan hours reduction in the main labour law, there is no MOHRE penalty for maintaining normal hours. However, if your helper works more than 12 hours in a day or is denied their weekly rest day, you may be in violation of Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022 regardless of Ramadan.

How many hours should a nanny work during Ramadan?

There is no legally mandated maximum specific to Ramadan for domestic workers. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022, a domestic worker's total day (work plus rest) should not exceed 12 hours of work. If your helper is fasting, best practice is to reduce to approximately 7–8 hours of active work with a midday rest period.

Do I need to pay my maid overtime during Ramadan?

Under the domestic worker law, overtime compensation depends on the terms of the employment contract. Unlike private sector overtime rules (which specify 125% of base pay), domestic worker contracts may handle extra hours differently. If your helper is consistently working beyond normal hours due to Ramadan gatherings, fair compensation — whether monetary or through additional time off — is both ethical and practical for retaining good staff.

Does my nanny get time off for Eid Al Fitr?

Yes. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9/2022, domestic workers are entitled to all official public holidays in the UAE. Eid Al Fitr 2026 is expected around March 20, with up to three days of public holiday. If your helper works during Eid, they must receive either an alternate rest day or cash compensation equivalent to one day's salary.

What if my helper is not Muslim — do I still need to adjust anything?

The private sector Ramadan hours reduction applies to all employees regardless of religion. While this provision does not cover domestic workers, it sets a cultural expectation. If your non-Muslim helper is working significantly longer hours due to Ramadan hosting demands, the extra workload deserves recognition through compensation or rest, regardless of their faith.

The Bigger Picture: Retention and Respect

Families in the UAE frequently tell us that finding a good nanny or maid is one of the hardest parts of household management. The cost and disruption of turnover — new visa processing, training, the adjustment period for your children — far outweighs the cost of treating your helper well during Ramadan.

At Yaya Middle East, we see the data: helpers who feel respected and fairly treated stay longer, perform better, and build the kind of trust with your children that cannot be replaced. A thoughtful Ramadan schedule is not charity — it is smart household management.

Key Takeaways

Domestic workers in the UAE are not legally entitled to reduced Ramadan hours — this is a gap between the main labour law and the domestic worker law. But the best employers treat the private sector standard as a minimum benchmark for their helpers too. Have the conversation about fasting, adjust the schedule, recognise extra workload from gatherings, and compensate fairly. The law sets the floor. You set the standard.

Yaya Middle East connects families with verified nannies and maids across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Bahrain. For more on managing your household staff, read our complete guide to hiring a nanny in Dubai and our guide on giving your nanny time off during Eid.