UAE declares paid New Year holiday for private sector employees on January 1

Exam-focused facts from the 13 December 2025 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced a paid holiday on January 1 for private sector employees.
The announcement was made through an official X post following the UAE cabinet’s approved list of holidays for public and private sector employees.
It remains unclear whether offices will reopen on Friday, January 2.