Working Hours & Overtime in UAE
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Eight hours a day, forty-eight a week — that's the cap under Articles 17-19 of FDL 33/2021. The fine print is where most of the disputes live.
- Standard hours: 8 a day or 48 a week. Hotels, restaurants, and security roles can be pushed to 9 hours daily.
- Ramadan: the daily total drops by 2 hours for everyone, regardless of religion. This isn't a courtesy — it's the law.
- Overtime pay: hourly rate plus 25% for normal overtime; plus 50% if any of the overtime falls between 10 PM and 4 AM.
- Overtime cap: no more than 2 extra hours a day, unless the work is needed to prevent serious loss or accident.
- Rest break: at least one break during the day. Work plus breaks combined cannot exceed 12 hours.
The most common scam is rebranding overtime as a flat "production bonus" or rolling it silently into the basic salary. Neither holds up at MoHRE if you can show your actual hours.
When does it apply?
- You are employed in the private sector under UAE labour law.
- Certain categories are exempt, including senior management positions where hours are not tracked.
- The Ramadan reduction applies to all workers, regardless of religion.
What to Do If Your UAE Employer Refuses to Pay Overtime
Don't rely on the employer's logbook. Build your own.
- Log your in/out times daily. A phone note works. Photos of the punch board or attendance display work better.
- If overtime is missing or short-paid, raise it in writing with HR first — cite Articles 17-19 of FDL 33/2021 by name.
- No fix? File with MoHRE through the smart app, the 600-590000 hotline, or any Tasheel centre.
- Going into Ramadan, get your reduced schedule confirmed in writing at the start of the month — don't let it slide.
- In DIFC or ADGM, the overtime rules differ from federal law. Check your free-zone regulations directly; MoHRE won't take the case.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't sign anything that waives overtime. The right can't be contracted away — but a signed waiver still slows down enforcement.
- Don't work through breaks without documenting it. Break time that turns into work time is overtime.
- Don't shrug off the 2-hour daily cap. Routine breaches are reportable to MoHRE in their own right.
Common Questions
When does it apply — working hours & overtime?
You are employed in the private sector under UAE labour law.Certain categories are exempt, including senior management positions where hours are not tracked.The Ramadan reduction applies to all workers, regardless of religion.
What should I do if my employer in the UAE is not paying me overtime?
Don't rely on the employer's logbook. Build your own.Log your in/out times daily. A phone note works. Photos of the punch board or attendance display work better.If overtime is missing or short-paid, raise it in writing with HR first — cite Articles 17-19 of FDL 33/2021 by name.No fix? File with MoHRE through the smart app, the 600-590000 hotline, or any Tasheel centre.Going into Ramadan, get your reduced schedule confirmed in writing at the start of the month — don't let it slide.In DIFC or ADGM, the overtime rules differ from federal law. Check your free-zone regulations directly; MoHRE won'...
What should you NOT do — working hours & overtime?
Don't sign anything that waives overtime. The right can't be contracted away — but a signed waiver still slows down enforcement.Don't work through breaks without documenting it. Break time that turns into work time is overtime.Don't shrug off the 2-hour daily cap. Routine breaches are reportable to MoHRE in their own right.