UAE becomes first country to transition to 4.5-day Work Week.

Why in news?

• Recently, the United Arab Emirates has announced to change its existing five-day workweek to a four-and-a-half day starting January 1, becoming the world’s first country to make the employee-friendly transition as part of its efforts to improve productivity and work-life balance.

About 4.5 day work week

• According to the new schedule, Monday to Thursday the work timings would be from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm, followed by a half-day on Friday from 7.30 am to 12.00 pm.
• Saturdays and Sundays are full-day holidays under the new rule.
• The government’s move is expected to make it come closer to the timings of the US, the UK, and Europe, boosting commerce.