How effective is the Ramadhan flexible hours policy?

As the holy month of Ramadhan enters its second week, Observer has been getting reports that traffic slowdown mostly takes place in places such as Al Khoud, Rusayl, and a few entry points of Muscat Expressway because most office goers (including in the private sector) have preferred the 9 am to 2 pm working hours instead of other options provided by the authorities.

Adding to the woes, minor or major accidents on the road can lead to the blocking of one or two lanes and holding of the traffic for a few minutes.

On Monday, ROP reported traffic congestion on Sultan Qaboos Street due to an accident before the airport bridge heading to Al Sahwa Tower, forcing motorists to take alternative routes.

According to Nasser, a government employee, "Comparable to previous years, traffic problems after office hours have been minimized to a large extent compared to the past, including the previous year. Some areas are congestion-prone but am sure it will be resolved as the authorities complete the infra projects, including expansion of lanes, in the coming years."

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has prohibited truck movement on some roads in various governorates on Thursdays and Saturdays to avoid congestion, and to help citizens returning home outside the place of work.

What are flexible working hours?

The official working hours for employees during Ramadhan 2024 for employees in the departments of the state’s administrative apparatus will be flexible, starting from 9 am to 2 pm, and the head of the departments will determine the hours of attendance that suit the nature of the work.

The shift options are 7 am to 12 noon, 8 am to 1 pm, 9 am to 2 pm, and 10 am to 3 pm.

Remote work: The head of the department may implement remote work for the employees whose nature of work allows them to opt for this option, in a manner that does not affect the workflow in that unit. In all cases, the number of employees required to be present at their workplace may not be less than 50 percent of the total number of employees per department. The maximum working hours for Muslim workers shall be six hours per day in private sector establishments or 30 working hours a week.