UAE labour law explained: your main rights at work in plain English
A plain-English map of the UAE labour law, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021: working hours, leave, probation, notice, dismissal, gratuity and how to make a claim, with article numbers.
Contents
Who the UAE labour law covers, and who it doesn’t Employment contracts (Articles 8 and 9) Work permits and recruitment costs (Article 6) Working hours and overtime (Articles 17 and 19) Leave (Articles 29 to 33) Notice periods and resigning (Articles 43 and 45) Dismissal and unlawful termination (Articles 44 and 47) End-of-service gratuity (Article 51) Final pay (Article 53) Job loss insurance (ILOE) How to make a complaint or claim (Article 54, amended 2024) What changed recently Frequently asked questionsSummarize with AI
Get a quick summary of this guide in your AI assistant.
The UAE labour law is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on Employment Relationships. It covers most private-sector workers in the UAE mainland and many free zones, and it has applied since 2 February 2022. It sets the rules on hours, pay, leave, probation, notice, dismissal and end-of-service gratuity. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) enforces it.
This page is a map of the law. Each section gives the main rule, the article number, and a link to our full guide.
Who the UAE labour law covers, and who it doesn’t
It covers private-sector employers and workers across the UAE. It does not cover:
- federal and local government staff, who have their own laws,
- the armed forces, police and security,
- domestic workers, who have a separate law,
- companies in the DIFC and ADGM financial free zones, which have their own employment laws.
Other free zones generally follow the federal law, plus their own rules.
Employment contracts (Articles 8 and 9)
Every job needs a written contract registered with MOHRE. All contracts are now for a fixed term, which can be renewed. The old “unlimited” contracts were phased out. A 2022 amendment removed the three-year limit on contract length.
If you keep working after the contract ends and no one signs a new one, the old contract carries on under the same terms.
You can be on probation for up to 6 months, only once with the same employer. Full rules: probation period in the UAE.
Work permits and recruitment costs (Article 6)
No one may work without a MOHRE work permit. The employer must get it, and cannot charge you for recruitment or hiring costs. See UAE labour card.
Working hours and overtime (Articles 17 and 19)
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Normal hours | Up to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week |
| Overtime limit | Up to 2 extra hours a day, and no more than 144 hours in any 3 weeks |
| Overtime pay | Basic hourly wage plus at least 25% |
| Overtime between 10pm and 4am | Basic hourly wage plus at least 50% |
| Working on your weekly day off | Another day off, or the day’s basic wage plus at least 50% |
Some jobs, such as shift work or senior roles, can have different arrangements set by the rules.
Leave (Articles 29 to 33)
| Leave | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Annual leave | 30 days a year after 1 year; 2 days a month between 6 and 12 months |
| Sick leave | Up to 90 days a year after probation: 15 days full pay, 30 days half pay, then unpaid |
| Maternity leave | 60 days: 45 days full pay, 15 days half pay |
| Parental leave | 5 working days for a new mother or father |
| Bereavement leave | 5 days for a spouse; 3 days for a parent, child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent |
| Study leave | 10 working days a year if enrolled at an approved UAE institution |
| Unpaid leave | Only if the employer agrees |
Full guides: annual leave in the UAE and sick leave in the UAE. Public holidays are listed on our UAE public holidays page.
Notice periods and resigning (Articles 43 and 45)
Either side can end the contract for a legitimate reason by giving written notice of 30 to 90 days, as set in the contract. You get full pay during notice. If one side does not give notice, it pays the other side the wage for the notice period.
In some serious cases you can leave without notice and keep your benefits. Full guide: resignation and notice period in the UAE.
Dismissal and unlawful termination (Articles 44 and 47)
An employer can dismiss without notice only for serious reasons listed in Article 44, and only after a written investigation. Examples include forged documents, serious misconduct, and being absent without reason for more than 7 days in a row or 20 days in a year.
If a court finds a dismissal unlawful, it can order compensation of up to 3 months’ wages. Full guide: termination benefits in the UAE.
End-of-service gratuity (Article 51)
After one year of continuous service, you earn gratuity on your last basic wage:
- 21 days’ basic wage for each of the first 5 years,
- 30 days’ basic wage for each year after that,
- capped at 2 years’ total wage.
Work it out with our gratuity calculator or read how to calculate gratuity.
Final pay (Article 53)
Your employer must pay your wages and all other dues within 14 days of the contract ending.
Job loss insurance (ILOE)
Most private-sector and federal government workers must also join the unemployment insurance scheme. It can pay part of your salary for up to 3 months if you lose your job. See our ILOE insurance guide.
How to make a complaint or claim (Article 54, amended 2024)
- Raise it with your employer in writing first.
- File a complaint with MOHRE through its app, website, a Tawafuq or Tas-heel centre, or by calling 80084.
- MOHRE tries to settle it. Since Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, MOHRE decides claims of AED 50,000 or less itself. Larger claims go to court.
- You must file within 2 years of the job ending.
Workers do not pay court fees for most labour cases. Our MOHRE enquiry services guide shows how to check a complaint’s status.
What changed recently
- 2022: the new law replaced the 1980 labour law. Unlimited contracts ended. New leave types were added.
- 2022 amendment: the three-year limit on contract length was removed.
- 2024 (Decree-Law No. 9): MOHRE can decide claims up to AED 50,000; a 2-year deadline for claims; fines of AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000 for employers who hire illegally or misuse work permits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current UAE labour law?
It is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on Employment Relationships, with later amendments, including Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024. It has applied since 2 February 2022.
How many working hours are allowed in the UAE?
Up to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Overtime is capped at 2 hours a day.
How much notice do I need to give when I resign?
Between 30 and 90 days, as set in your contract. The same notice applies to your employer.
Is gratuity paid if I resign?
Yes, if you worked at least one year. The same formula applies whether you resign or are let go.
Does the UAE labour law apply in the DIFC?
No. The DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws.
Where can I read the UAE labour law as a PDF?
The UAE Government portal publishes an English version of Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. It is linked in the sources below. Note that it is a translation, and the Arabic text is the official one.
Sources
Update log
Found an error? Tell us. This article explains the rules in general terms; it isn't legal, tax or financial advice for your situation.
Harper Cross is a business analyst and researcher. He studies politics and the Dubai real estate market, and writes about how policy and property shape business in the UAE.
The UAE rules, in your inbox
One short email when fees, visas, labour law or tax rules change. Free.