Bahrain's Work Week: Fridays Off, A Cultural Norm

In Bahrain, Friday is considered the weekly day of rest, with the weekend falling on Friday and Saturday. However, employers can replace this with any other day of the week for some workers. This topic has been widely discussed on social media and forums, with some people expressing their preference for a two-day weekend including Saturday and Sunday, while others argue for keeping Friday as a day off for religious reasons and cultural traditions.

Bahrain's weekly day of rest is Friday

Bahrain's Weekly Day of Rest

Friday: A Day of Worship and Rest in Bahrain

In Bahrain, Friday is considered the weekly day of rest, as outlined in the country's Labour Law. This day holds religious significance for Muslims, who gather for Friday prayers and consider it a special day for worship. The Labour Law ensures that workers get the necessary break and are not overworked, promoting a healthy balance between labour and rest.

Labour Law Provisions for Rest Days

The Bahraini Labour Law provides specific regulations regarding rest days, guaranteeing workers their much-needed time off. Employers are generally prohibited from requiring employees to work on their designated rest days, which are usually Fridays. However, in exceptional circumstances, employers may request employees to work on their day off, but this shouldn't exceed two consecutive times without the employee's written consent.

Options for Employees on Rest Days

When employees are asked to work on their rest day, they have the right to choose between two options: receiving 150% of their regular wage for that day, including overtime pay if applicable, or taking an alternative day off. This ensures that employees are fairly compensated for their time and labour, even when they work beyond the standard working week.

Cultural and Religious Significance of Friday

For Muslims in Bahrain, Friday is a day steeped in cultural and religious traditions. It is a day when families gather together, sharing meals and catching up. The day often starts with Friday prayers, followed by a tranquil afternoon and evening spent with loved ones. This cultural aspect of Friday is deeply valued, and any changes to the workweek that might disrupt this tradition are carefully considered.

Potential Changes to the Workweek

While Bahrain currently maintains a Friday-Saturday weekend, there have been discussions about shifting to a Saturday-Sunday weekend or adopting a four-and-a-half-day workweek. However, these proposals are carefully weighed against the cultural and religious importance of Fridays, with some arguing that a change could disrupt the much-needed day of rest and family gatherings.

In conclusion, Bahrain's weekly day of rest on Friday is a result of both cultural and religious influences, as well as labour laws that prioritise the well-being of workers. The country's current workweek structure ensures that employees have sufficient time for worship, family, and rest, contributing to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Employers may replace Friday with another day off for some workers

In Bahrain, Friday is considered the weekly day of rest. However, according to Article 57 of the Bahrain Labour Law, employers have the flexibility to replace this with any other day of the week for certain workers. This provision allows for some workers to have an alternative day off instead of Friday.

The Bahrain Labour Law outlines the regulations governing standard working hours and rest periods. It is important to note that Bahrain's working week is structured around a 48-hour workweek, with eight hours of work per day. This means that employees are entitled to one day off during the week. While Friday is the customary day of rest, employers have the discretion to offer a different day off to specific employees.

This flexibility is particularly relevant in a country like Bahrain, which has a diverse workforce, including a significant number of expats and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). By allowing employers to designate an alternative day of rest, the Bahrain Labour Law recognises the varying needs and preferences of different workers. This provision can be especially beneficial for expats who may have different cultural or religious observances that fall on days other than Friday.

Additionally, this arrangement can also facilitate better work-life balance for employees. For example, if an employee has personal commitments or family responsibilities that are more conveniently managed on a day other than Friday, the employer has the option to accommodate this request without disrupting the standard workweek for the majority of the workforce.

It is worth noting that while employers can replace Friday with another day off for some workers, they must still adhere to other labour regulations. For instance, workers should not be employed for more than six consecutive hours without a break, and the total working hours, including rest periods, should not exceed 11 hours per day. Furthermore, employees cannot be forced to work on their designated rest day for more than two consecutive times without their written consent.

Friday is a special day for Muslims, who are the majority in Bahrain

Friday is the weekly day of rest in Bahrain, and this is largely due to the significance of the day in Islam.

Muslims gather to pray in congregation on Fridays, and directly before the prayer, they listen to a lecture about God and the religion of Islam. This day of prayer is called 'jumʿah', and it is obligatory for adult male Muslims to attend. The prayers take place at noon and replace the usual ritual prayer of ṣalāt al-ẓuhr. The choice of Friday as the day of prayer was likely influenced by the pre-Islamic function of the day as a market day, when local tribes would gather in a central location.

Friday is also significant because it is the day that Adam was created, entered the Heavenly Gardens, was expelled from the Heavenly Gardens, and died. It is also the day on which the Day of Resurrection will take place. Prophet Muhammad said, "Verily, this is the Eid day (day of celebration) that God has prescribed for the Muslims."

In many predominantly Muslim countries, Friday is a weekly holiday, and this is the case in Bahrain. However, there is no mandatory closing of businesses except during the time of the congregational prayer. In Western countries, many Muslims take their lunch break during the time for prayer.

Bahrain previously changed its weekend from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday

In 2006, Bahrain changed its weekend from Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday. This change was implemented by the King of Bahrain to align the country's economy with its neighbours and the rest of the world. The shift was welcomed by the private sector, where most companies already worked from Sunday to Thursday, and were unable to do business with the government for one day each week.

The move brought Bahrain into line with other countries in the region, including Jordan, Qatar, Morocco, and Tunisia, who had already made the switch. In the 18 months preceding Bahrain's change, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Iraq, Syria, and Mauritania had also changed their weekends.

The change was expected to have social and financial benefits. It would allow families to have the same days off, increasing the productivity of employees, and giving them more time to travel and spend time together. It would also make Bahrain more attractive to foreign investors and help maintain its competitiveness in the region.

However, some people in Bahrain were opposed to the change, arguing that it would be inconvenient for those who wanted to attend Friday prayers. They suggested that a 4-day work week or a longer break for prayers on Fridays would be preferable.

Some Bahraini companies work half-days on Saturdays

In Bahrain, the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. Friday is considered the weekly day of rest, and employers may replace this with any other day of the week for some workers. Some Bahraini companies work half-days on Saturdays, with the official government working week running from Monday to Friday.

The Bahraini Labour Law prescribes working hours and rest periods for employees. Regular working hours are 8 hours per day, 48 hours per week. During Ramadan, daily working hours for Muslim employees are reduced to 6 hours per day, 36 hours per week. Working hours may be extended to a maximum of 10 hours per day, but employees should not be present in the workplace for more than 11 hours per day, including working hours and rest periods.

In Bahrain, the Labour Law dictates the rules and compensation for rest days and overtime work. Employers can request employees to work on their weekly rest day if work circumstances demand it. In such cases, employees can choose between receiving 150% of their regular wage for the day worked, plus overtime pay if applicable, or taking another day off in lieu.

Some companies in Bahrain work half-days on Saturdays, which would fall within the regular working hours as prescribed by the Bahraini Labour Law. This allows employees to still accumulate their weekly 48 hours without needing to work a full day on Saturday.

While Friday is considered the weekly day of rest, some companies may choose to operate during this time, especially with the option of providing employees with an additional day off or increased compensation. This flexibility in scheduling allows businesses to remain operational while also accommodating the needs of their workforce.

The working week in Bahrain, including the half-day Saturdays for some companies, aims to balance operational needs with employee well-being.

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