Muscat: With the Holy Month of Ramadan likely to start on Thursday, the official working hours for administrative staff of the government and employees of private sector establishments were announced on Tuesday with an option to be flexible with working hours for the government employees.
According to Oman News Agency, the official working hours, announced by the Ministry of Labour, for the departments of the administrative apparatus of the civil state will be from 9am to 2pm.
However, the ministry said that the department heads could implement flexible working hours or remote work schedules during Ramadan in line with their specific requirements.
The flexible working hours could be in either of the following options: 7am to 12pm, 8am to 1pm, 9am to 2pm and 10am to 3 pm.
As for the private sector establishments, the working hours for Muslims will be 6 hours a day but not exceeding more than 30 hours a week.
As for the provision to ‘work remotely’ the head of the respective departments shall decide on who could avail it ensuring there are no hurdles in the workflow.
However, the circular said that in all cases the number of employees who are required to attend their workplaces may not be less than 60 percent of the total employees of the department.
Meanwhile, Muscat Municipality announced the working hours at the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market in Al Mawaleh during Ramadan.
The wholesale stores will be open from 4am to 1pm while the retail shops and local produce outlets will be open from 4am to 5pm.
The regulation for entry for wholesale vegetables and fruit transport vehicles will be from Gate No.1 from 4am to 10pm while entry of customer cars will be from Gate No.2 from 7am to 10pm.
All entry gates for individuals will be open from 4am to 10pm and the market will be closed on Friday.
Ministry of Health working hours in Muscat Governorate
The Ministry of Health said that the working hours of health centres and specialised complexes (Bausher and Al Seeb) in Muscat Governorate during the blessed month of Ramadan will be in shifts from Sunday to Thursday.
The morning shift for health centres and specialised complexes will be from 8am to 1pm while the evening shift at health centres will be from 7pm to 12am, and in specialised complexes from 1pm to 7pm. During the night period, the working hours in the specialised complexes will be from 12am to 8am.
The Directorate General of Health Services in the Governorate of Muscat said that Qurayyat Hospital will receive emergency cases 24 hours a day during the holy month of Ramadan.
The working hours of health centres and specialised complexes (Bausher Specialist Complex and Al Seeb Specialist Complex) in Muscat Governorate during weekends and official holidays will be as follows: 8am to 7pm (specialised complexes) and 7pm to 12am (health centres).
The night shift for the specialised complexes during weekends and holidays will be from 12am to 8am.
The ministry added that Al Sahel Health Centre and Al Mina District Health Centre will work only from 8am to 1pm. During evening times on all days, patients of Al Sahel Health Centre should go to Qurayyat Health Complex while patients of Al Mina District Health Centre will have to go to Muttrah Health Centre.
Slaughter House timings
Muscat Municipality has announced new working hours for Seeb and Amerat slaughterhouses for the month of Ramadan.
A statement issued by Muscat Municipality said, ‘Working hours of Seeb and Amerat slaughterhouses from Monday, March 20, 2023 tell the end of the month of Shaban will be from 7am to 1pm for individuals and from 6:30 pm till midnight for companies.’
Timings for Muscat Municipality slaughterhouses during the month of Ramadan will be from 8am to 1pm for individuals and from 6am to 8am for companies.