Working Hours & Overtime
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions.
UAE Federal Law
What is this right?
UAE labour law sets clear limits on how many hours you can work and requires extra pay for overtime:
- Standard hours: 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Your employer can increase daily hours to 9 for certain jobs like hotels and security.
- Ramadan: Working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day during the holy month of Ramadan for all workers.
- Overtime pay: If you work beyond normal hours, you get your regular hourly rate plus 25%. If overtime falls between 10 PM and 4 AM, you get your rate plus 50%.
- Overtime cap: You cannot be asked to work more than 2 extra hours per day unless the work is necessary to prevent a serious loss or accident.
- Rest break: You are entitled to at least one break during the workday. Total work plus breaks should not exceed 12 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 should you do?
- Track your hours — keep a personal record of when you start and finish work each day.
- If you are not being paid overtime, raise it with your HR department first, citing Articles 17-19 of the Labour Law.
- If the issue is not resolved, file a complaint with MOHRE.
- During Ramadan, confirm your reduced schedule with your employer at the start of the month.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not agree to waive overtime pay — this right cannot be given up, even by contract.
- Do not work through breaks without documenting it — unpaid break time that turns into work time should be counted as overtime.
- Do not ignore the 2-hour daily overtime cap — report excessive demands to MOHRE.
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