Not legal advice
Content summarises labour law as published by each GCC ministry, current as of May 2026. Not a substitute for legal advice. Employment law is jurisdiction-specific and subject to change. For contracts, disputes, visa issues, or any decision with legal consequences, consult a qualified labour lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction.
Not legal advice
This guide summarizes United Arab Emirates employment law for informational use only. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified labour lawyer. Employment law is complex and jurisdiction-specific. For contracts, disputes, visas, or decisions with legal consequences, consult a licensed labour lawyer in your jurisdiction.
Quick summary
Standard hours are 48 per week or 8 per day, with one paid weekly rest day. Daily hours drop by two hours during Ramadan. Overtime is paid at 125% of basic for normal overtime and 150% for night-shift, weekend, or holiday work. Some senior and supervisory roles are exempt from the overtime regime.
Standard working week
Article 17 of Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 caps standard working hours at 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week, plus one paid weekly rest day (typically Sunday, after the UAE moved to a Saturday–Sunday weekend in January 2022). The 48-hour cap can be redistributed across the week (e.g. 9 hours Monday–Thursday, 4 hours Friday) by agreement.
Ramadan hours
During Ramadan, daily working hours are reduced by two hours, so most employees work 6 hours per day or 30 hours per week. The reduction applies to all employees, not only Muslim staff. Compensation does not change.
Overtime rates
Article 19 sets overtime as work performed beyond the standard daily hours. The rate is:
- 125% of basic hourly wage for ordinary overtime.
- 150% of basic hourly wage for overtime between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM (with shift-work exceptions).
- 150% of basic hourly wage for work on the weekly rest day, plus a compensatory rest day in lieu.
- Time off plus 50% premium for work performed on a public holiday.
Daily overtime cap
Article 18 caps overtime at two additional hours per day except in cases of necessity (preventing serious loss or damage). In any case, overtime hours form part of the maximum 48-hour rolling week, the cap is not a way around the weekly limit.
Who is exempt
Cabinet Resolution 1/2022 lists categories of employees who are exempt from the working-hours regime: chairmen, board members, general managers, supervisors with executive authority, crews on aircraft and ships, and others as defined by ministerial decision. Exempt employees are paid on the basis of their contractual salary regardless of hours worked.
Worked example
Khalid earns AED 12,000/month basic on a 48-hour week (8 hours × 6 days). His hourly basic wage is roughly AED 12,000 ÷ (30 days × 8 hours/day × 30/26) ≈ AED 50/hour. He works 3 extra hours on a Tuesday evening and 4 hours on Sunday (his rest day). Weeknight overtime: 3 × AED 50 × 1.25 = AED 187.50. Rest-day overtime: 4 × AED 50 × 1.5 = AED 300, plus a compensatory day off in lieu. Total premium for the week: AED 487.50 on top of his standard salary.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Friday a weekend day?
Friday is a half-day in the UAE public sector and most onshore private companies, with prayer time built in. The statutory weekly rest day is one full day, most employers run a Saturday–Sunday weekend with a half-day Friday.
What if I'm a manager, do I still get overtime?
Generally no, if you're in one of the supervisory or executive categories listed in Cabinet Resolution 1/2022. The exemption is for roles with genuine executive authority, being called 'manager' isn't sufficient on its own.
Do Ramadan hours apply to non-Muslim employees?
Yes. The two-hour daily reduction during Ramadan applies to all employees regardless of religion. Some employers ask non-Muslim staff to work normal hours by agreement; this is permissible if voluntary but cannot be unilaterally imposed.
Can my employer make me work seven days a week?
No. The one paid weekly rest day is a non-waivable entitlement. Work on the rest day triggers the 150% premium plus a day in lieu.
When to consult a labour lawyer
Consult a labour lawyer if your employer is claiming you're exempt from overtime because of a job title that doesn't match real executive authority, refusing to pay overtime worked on the weekly rest day, or pressing you to sign away the Ramadan-hours reduction without compensation.