UAE Labour Law

Working hours

Official UAE guidance describes normal private-sector working time as up to 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, with rest requirements and overtime rules set in the law and implementing regulations. Always check your contract and MoHRE updates for sector-specific exceptions.

Leave

According to the official UAE Government portal, private-sector employees are entitled to fully paid annual leave of 30 days after one year of service. If service exceeds six months but is less than one year, entitlement is described as 2 days of leave for each month of service. Public holiday and weekly rest rules are also set in the labour framework.

• Annual leave timing is typically set with the employer according to work needs, with advance notice requirements described in the law.
• Part-time leave is calculated according to contracted working hours under the implementing regulations.

Employment contracts

The current UAE private-sector framework emphasises limited/fixed-term contracts and allows work models such as full-time, part-time, temporary, and flexible work. Unlimited contracts were replaced under the 2021 reform. Contract terms should be registered according to MoHRE requirements.

Wages and employee rights

Wage payment, end-of-service benefits, leave pay, overtime, and dispute routes are regulated by the labour law and related decisions. Employees should keep written records of contracts, salary transfers, and leave approvals. For disputes, use MoHRE channels rather than relying on informal promises.