This guide explains the main rules that protect private-sector workers in Dubai. It is a plain summary, not legal advice. If you have a dispute, contact MoHRE.
MoHRE is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. It registers work contracts and handles labour complaints for private companies.
Which law covers you
The main law is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, often called the UAE Labour Law. It started on 2 February 2022 and has been changed since. Its rules apply across all seven emirates, including Dubai.
The law does not cover everyone:
- Domestic workers (housemaids, nannies, private drivers) have their own law, Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022.
- Government employees follow government HR rules.
- Some free zones, such as DIFC, have their own employment law.
If your contract is registered with MoHRE, this guide applies to you.
Your contract
All contracts are now fixed-term contracts. Older “unlimited” contracts had to be changed to fixed-term ones. When a fixed-term contract ends and both sides keep working, it counts as renewed on the same terms.
The law allows several work models:
- Full-time, with one employer
- Part-time, for set hours, with one or more employers
- Temporary, for one task
- Flexible, where hours change with business needs
- Remote work and job sharing
Tip: Keep a copy of your MoHRE contract. The salary and job title in it must match your offer letter. If they do not match, do not sign. Ask questions first.
The law also says your employer must not charge you the costs of recruiting or employing you, directly or indirectly.
Working hours and overtime
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Normal hours | Up to 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week |
| Overtime limit | No more than 2 extra hours a day |
| Total hours | No more than 144 hours every 3 weeks |
| Overtime pay | Normal wage plus at least 25% |
| Overtime from 10pm to 4am | Normal wage plus at least 50% (shift workers are excluded) |
| Work on your rest day | Another day off, or normal pay plus at least 50% |
| Ramadan | Normal working hours are cut by 2 hours a day |
You get at least one paid rest day a week. Public holidays are also paid.
Midday break: in summer, outdoor work under direct sun is banned in the hottest hours. In 2026 the ban ran from 15 June to 15 September, from 12:30pm to 3pm. Companies that break it face fines.
Annual leave and other leave
| Leave | Days | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave (after 1 year) | 30 days a year | Full pay |
| Annual leave (6 to 12 months of service) | 2 days per month | Full pay |
| Sick leave (after probation) | Up to 90 days a year | 15 days full pay, 30 days half pay, 45 days unpaid |
| Maternity leave | 60 days | 45 days full pay, 15 days half pay |
| Parental leave | 5 working days | Full pay |
| Bereavement | 5 days (spouse) or 3 days (close family) | Full pay |
| Study leave (after 2 years) | 10 working days a year | Full pay |
| Hajj | Up to 30 days, once | Unpaid |
Some points to know:
- Your employer sets leave dates with your agreement. They must tell you at least one month before.
- Unused annual leave is paid out when you leave the company.
- For sick leave, tell your employer within 3 working days. Give a medical report.
- Your employer may not dismiss you or give you notice while you are on sick leave.
Probation
Probation is a trial period at the start of a job.
- It can last up to 6 months. It cannot be extended.
- If the employer ends your job during probation, they must give you 14 days’ written notice.
- If you want to leave the UAE during probation, give 14 days’ written notice.
- If you want to move to another UAE employer during probation, give at least one month’s written notice. The new employer usually pays the old employer’s recruitment costs, unless agreed otherwise.
Warning: If you leave during probation without the right notice, you may not get a new work permit for a time. Read your contract before you resign.
Notice and ending a contract
After probation, either side can end the contract with written notice. The notice period is 30 to 90 days. Your contract states the exact number.
During notice:
- Your contract stays in force and you get full pay.
- If the employer ended the contract, you may take one unpaid day a week to look for a new job. Tell them 3 days before.
- Both sides can agree to shorten or cancel the notice.
If one side does not respect the notice, it must pay the other side your wage for the notice period, or the part not served.
When the employer can dismiss without notice
The law lists serious reasons. Examples include using forged documents, being drunk at work, assault, leaking company secrets, or being absent without reason for more than 7 days in a row or more than 20 days in a year. The employer must investigate in writing first.
When you can leave without notice
You may leave without notice if the employer seriously breaks the contract, assaults or harasses you, or gives you a very different job without your written consent. In most cases you must tell MoHRE first. Read the official rules on u.ae before you act.
Unfair dismissal
If you are dismissed because you made a valid complaint to MoHRE, or won a valid case against your employer, that is arbitrary dismissal. A court can order compensation of up to 3 months’ wages. This is on top of your gratuity and other dues.
What you get when you leave
Your employer must pay all your dues within 14 days after the contract ends. Dues include:
- Unpaid salary
- Pay for unused annual leave
- End-of-service gratuity, if you worked at least one year
See our full guide to end-of-service gratuity. If you lost your job and pay into job-loss insurance, read our ILOE guide.
How to complain
If your employer does not pay, holds back your dues, or breaks the law:
- Talk to your HR team in writing first. Keep copies.
- File a complaint with MoHRE through its app or its website.
- MoHRE tries to settle the case. If that fails, it sends the case to court.
Tip: Never sign a paper saying you received all your dues until the money is in your account.
For help getting a legal job in the first place, see our get hired guides and the official Dubai work visa guide on our sister site.
