Ramadan is a very important period in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims all over the world look forward to welcoming it. More than being the month of fasting, it is also a time for deep reflection and contemplation.
In Qatar, fasting is strictly promoted and observed with many restaurants remaining closed during the daytime. Working hours for most commercial establishments change during the month.
This article summarises the updates about the changes to Ramadan working hours in Qatar:
Ramadan Timing for Ministry of Interior (2022)
The working hours of different departments of the Ministry of Interior during the month of Ramadan 2022 are as below:
| General Directorate of Passports | 8 am to 1 pm |
| Nationality and Travel Documents Department | 8 am to 1 pm |
| General Directorate of Traffic (Headquarters) | 9 am to 2 pm |
| Traffic Investigation | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| Technical Inspection | 6 am to 4 pm |
| Drivers’ Licensing Department at Driving Schools | 5:30 am to 10:30 am |
| Number Plate Manufacturing Workshop | 8 am to 5 pm |
| Criminal Evidence and Information Department | 9 am to 2 pm |
Ramadan Timing for HMC (2022)
All emergency and inpatient services across HMC’s network of hospitals will continue to operate as normal, 24-hours a day, seven days a week during the holy month of Ramadan.
The changes to operating hours affect a number of services delivered remotely via the national COVID-19 helpline number: 16000.
| All emergency and inpatient services in all HMC hospitals | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| COVID-19 Helpline (16000) | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| HMC Outpatient Department Clinics | 9 am to 2 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| HMC Urgent Consultation Service | 9 am to 2 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| Mental Health Helpline | 9 am to 5 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| HMC Pharmacy Medication Home Delivery Service | 9 am to 2 pm (Saturday to Thursday) |
| Dental Hospital Outpatient Clinics | 9 am to 2 pm & 8.30 pm to 11.30 pm (Sunday to Thursday); Orthodontics and Pedodontics clinics are from 8 am to 4 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| HMC Diabetes Hotline | 8 am to 5.30 pm (7 days a week) |
| Blood Donor Center (next to Hamad General Hospital) | 8 am to 1 pm and 6 pm to 12 midnight; Saturday hours will be 6 pm to 12 am |
| New Blood Donor Center (opposite Outpatient Department next to Surgical Specialty Center) | 6 pm to 12 midnight – Sunday to Thursday (closed in the morning) |
| HMC Nesma’ak Customer Service Helpline (16060) | 7 am to 10 pm (7 days a week) |
Ramadan Timing for Medical Commission (2022)
The Ministry of Public Health stated that the Medical Commission Department will receive patients from 9 am until 6 pm.
Ramadan Timing for Birth Registration Offices (2022)
The birth registration offices will receive requests for registration and issuance of birth certificates for newborns in the morning from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Women’s Health and Research Center, Al Khor Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, the Cuban Hospital, Sidra Medicine, and Al Ahli Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital, and Doha Clinic Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Wellness and Research Center, Sidra Medicine, and Al-Ahly Hospital will provide birth registration services in the evening shift from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
| Women’s Health and Research Center | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm |
| Al Khor Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Al Wakra Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Cuban Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Sidra Medicine | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Al Ahli Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm |
| Al-Emadi Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Doha Clinic Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
Visitors can complete the procedures for registering a birth certificate online through the ministry’s website.
Ramadan Timing For Fahes Vehicle Inspection (2022)
Fahes inspection centres working hours during the Holy month of Ramadan are as below:
| Al Mazrouaah | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Wadi Al Banat / Mesaimeer | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Al Shahaniya / Al Egda | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Al Wakra / Al Wukair | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Mobile Inspection Unit at Madinat Al Shamal / External | 7 am to 12 noon | Gate close at 11:45 am |
Ramadan 2022 Working Hours for Government Sector
According to a circular issued by Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, official working hours during Ramadan for ministries, government agencies and public bodies and institutions will be five hours a day, starting from 9 am to 2 pm.
| Ministries, government agencies and public bodies and institutions. | 9 am to 2 pm |
Ramadan Working Hours for Private Sector
During Ramadan, the majority of employees will work two hours less each day as required by Qatar laws and regulations. The normal working day of eight hours is reduced to six hours for most sectors.
However, some categories like foodstuff stores, pharmacies, and restaurants working on deliveries and the contracting sector are excluded from this practice. The employer can also opt for two hours of overtime work to make it eight hours per day.
According to Article 73 of Qatar Labour Law (Law No 14 of 2004), “The maximum limit of the normal working hours shall be forty-eight hours per week, and of eight hours a day in all the months of the year, except in the month of Ramadan where the maximum working hours shall be thirty-six hours per month of six hours per day.”
The Ministry of Labour is the pertinent Government agency with regulation and enforcement responsibility.
If employers have any questions in relation to their Ramadan working policies and procedures they should attend the Labour Department and confirm that such policies and procedures are compliant. In particular, the hours for employees working in shifts should be discussed and agreed upon.
In case of a complaint, you can contact the Ministry of Labour using any of these channels.
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There is any fine for company who are exeding up to 10 hours of work during ramadan instead of 6 hours working time?
Good day Sir/Ma’am:
I just want to ask regarding the Ramadan working hours if it’s applicable only for the Muslim. Non Muslim employees are not entitled?