UAE Labour Law 2026: Complete Guide to Employee Rights
Working in the UAE? Whether you just arrived or have been here for years, knowing your rights under the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) protects your salary, your leave, and your end-of-service money. This guide explains the rules in plain language: contracts, working hours, all leave types, gratuity calculation, termination rights, and what to do when your employer breaks the rules.
Note: Labour rules can change. This guide reflects the law as published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and the UAE Government Portal. For your specific case, check mohre.gov.ae or u.ae.
Employment contracts in the UAE
Private-sector employment in the UAE is governed by a written employment contract registered with MOHRE. Common contract types include full-time, part-time, temporary, flexible, remote working, and job-sharing arrangements.
Check before you sign: your job title, basic salary (separate from allowances), working hours, probation terms, and notice period. Always keep a copy of your signed contract — you will need it for any future complaint or gratuity claim.
Working hours and overtime
The standard maximum is 8 hours per day / 48 hours per week. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day.
Overtime must be paid at a premium:
- Day overtime: hourly wage + 25% (1.25x your normal hourly rate)
- Night overtime (9pm-4am): hourly wage + 50% (1.5x), except for shift workers
Leave entitlements under UAE Labour Law
| Leave type | Entitlement | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 30 days per year | After 1 year of service; 2 days per month after the first 6 months. Leave pay must be paid before the leave starts. |
| Sick leave | 90 days per year | After probation: 15 days full pay, 30 days half pay, 45 days unpaid. Medical certificate required. |
| Maternity leave | 60 days | 45 days full pay + 15 days half pay. |
| Parental leave | 5 working days | For each parent, within 6 months of the child's birth. |
| Study leave | 10 days per year | After 2 years of service, for exams at approved institutions. |
| Bereavement leave | 5 days / 3 days | 5 days on death of a spouse, 3 days on death of a parent, child, sibling, grandchild or grandparent. |
| Hajj leave | 30 days unpaid | Once during employment, for Muslim employees performing Hajj. |
Unused annual leave: if your employment ends, you must be paid for all unused annual leave days, calculated on your basic salary. Unused leave cannot simply be forfeited.
End-of-service gratuity: how it is calculated
After completing one full year of continuous service, you are entitled to end-of-service gratuity — whether you resign or are terminated. It is calculated on your basic salary only (allowances excluded):
- Years 1-5: 21 days of basic salary for each year of service
- Year 6 onwards: 30 days of basic salary for each additional year
- Cap: total gratuity cannot exceed 2 years of basic salary
- Part years are calculated pro-rata (per day of service)
Worked example: basic salary AED 6,000, service of 3 years and 6 months.
- Daily wage = 6,000 / 30 = AED 200
- Gratuity = 200 x 21 days x 3.5 years = AED 14,700
Your final settlement — including gratuity and all dues — must be paid within 14 days of your last working day.
Probation period rules
Probation may last up to 6 months. During probation:
- The employer may terminate with 14 days' written notice.
- An employee joining another UAE employer must give 1 month's notice; leaving the UAE requires 14 days' notice.
- No gratuity is earned if employment ends during probation.
Termination and arbitrary dismissal
An employer needs a legitimate reason to terminate your contract and must honour the notice period in your contract (minimum 30 days, up to 90 days).
Arbitrary (unfair) dismissal — for example, being fired for filing a labour complaint or claiming your legal rights — entitles you to compensation of up to 3 months' wages on top of your normal end-of-service entitlements.
Salary protection: the WPS
Salaries must be paid through the Wages Protection System (WPS) and within 15 days of the due date. If your salary is delayed or unpaid, you can file a complaint with MOHRE (see below) — and MOHRE handles wage complaints confidentially.
How to file a labour complaint with MOHRE
If your employer violates the law — unpaid salary, denied leave, unpaid gratuity, unfair dismissal — MOHRE offers free channels:
- MOHRE smart app (UAE Pass login) — employee services — labour complaint
- Online: mohre.gov.ae — Services — register a labour complaint
- Phone: 600 590 000 (24/7) or 800 60 (toll-free)
- Advice: Labour Claims and Advisory Centre on 800 84
- In person: Tas'heel / Tawafuq service centres
MOHRE first attempts mediation (usually within about 14 days). For claims of AED 50,000 or less, MOHRE can issue a final binding decision itself; larger unresolved cases go to the Labour Court. You generally have 2 years from when the entitlement fell due to file.
Frequently asked questions
Is gratuity calculated on basic salary or total salary?
Basic salary only. Housing, transport and other allowances are excluded.
Do I get gratuity if I resign?
Yes — after one year of continuous service, gratuity is payable whether you resign or are terminated.
How many annual leave days do I get in my first year?
Two days per month after completing 6 months, rising to the full 30 days once you complete a year.
Can my employer refuse to pay unused annual leave?
No. Unused annual leave must be compensated in your final settlement, calculated on basic salary.
What is the maximum probation period in the UAE?
Six months.
Where do free zone employees complain?
Through their free zone authority's own dispute process first (e.g. DIFC, JAFZA), not directly through MOHRE.
Related on Gulf Labours: How to File a MOHRE Labour Complaint (Step by Step) - UAE Work Visa & Permit Types 2026 - How to Check Your Labour Contract Online
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