Ramadan Working Hours Announced for Public and Private Sector

Oman announced public sector and private sector working hours on Tuesday, with an option of more flexible hours for government employees. 

The Ministry of Labour announced that departments of the administrative apparatus of the civil state will work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The ministry also said that department heads have the option of implementing flexible work hours and or remote work during Ramadan. 

The flexible timings are in the following options: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The working hours for the private sector's Muslim employees will be 6 hours a day and no more than 30 hours a week. The head of departments can decide who can avail of the remote work option. 

The number of employees required to attend the workplace cannot be less than 60% of the total employees of the department in the public and private sectors. 

Working Hours for Markets

Muscat Municipality announced the working hours of the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market in Al Mawaleh during Ramadan.  Wholesale stores will operate from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m., while retail shops and local produce outlets will be open from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Entry of wholesale vegetable and fruit transport vehicles will be allowed at Gate No.1 from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry of customer vehicles will be allowed at Gate No. 2 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

All entry gates for individuals will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the market will remain closed on Friday. 

Working Hours for Hospitals

The Sultanate's  Ministry of Health announced that all health centres and specialized complexes (Bausher and Al Seeb) will operate in shifts from Sunday to Thursday during Ramadan.

The morning shift for these places will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., while evening shifts in health centres will be from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and in specialized complexes, they will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. During the night, the working hours for specialized complexes will be 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. 

The working hours for these places for the weekend and official holidays will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for specialized complexes (Bausher Specialist Complex and Al Seeb Specialist Complex) and 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. for health centres. 

The night shift for specialised complexes during weekends and official holidays will be 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. 

Qurayyat Hospital in the Governate of Muscat will receive emergency cases 24 hours a day during Ramadan. 

Al Sahel Health Centre and Al Mina District Health Centre will work only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Working Hours for Slaughter Houses

A statement issued by Muscat Municipality stated, ‘Working hours of Seeb and Amerat slaughterhouses from Monday, March 20, 2023, till the end of the month of Shaban will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for individuals and from 6:30 pm till midnight for companies.’

The operation hours for Muscat Municipality slaughterhouses during Ramadan will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for individuals and 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for companies.