Somalia reduces government office hours for Ramadan

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has announced a reduction in official public sector working hours during the holy month of Ramadan, in line with longstanding labour practices observed in the predominantly Muslim country.

In a statement marking the start of the month, the ministry extended its congratulations to Somali workers and the wider Muslim community, noting that the adjustment reflects the spiritual significance of Ramadan and the need to accommodate fasting employees.

Under the revised schedule, government offices will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., establishing a six-hour working day for public sector employees. The measure is aimed at easing workloads while maintaining continuity in essential administrative services.

The private sector, however, is generally expected to maintain regular operating hours, although some businesses may introduce flexible arrangements at their discretion.

Food outlets to close

During Ramadan, many restaurants close during daylight hours, with some shutting for the entire month and others reopening only at night to serve customers after the breaking of the fast.

Somalia’s labour framework has in recent years been the subject of public debate, particularly regarding the total number of working days and hours. Fridays are designated as the official weekly day off, while many employees report working on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Based on the revised Ramadan timetable, public sector employees are expected to work approximately 30 hours per week, depending on institutional break policies. The adjustment is not expected to apply uniformly across all sectors.

Members of the Somali National Army, who continue operations against Al-Shabaab, as well as medical personnel in public and private health facilities, are likely to maintain extended or shift-based schedules due to operational demands.