Official government working hours to be from 8am to 3pm

At the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government decided to change its working hours. The new working hours will be from 8am to 3pm, effective from 21 March 2012. The decision was made after extensive consultations with the Civil Service Commission, independent state institutions, private sector, and the Civil Servants Association.

Following this change:

• There will be a lunchtime break of thirty minutes from either 12pm to 12.30pm or from 1pm to 1.30pm.

• A fifteen minute break will be given for afternoon prayers