UAE Labour Law Explained for Expats — What Every Worker Must Know

Most people only start reading about UAE Labour Law when something goes wrong — when a company suddenly asks them to resign, when their salary is delayed, or when they’re unsure if they’re being treated fairly. Don’t wait for that moment. Understanding the basics now means you’re never caught off guard.

This guide covers the most important things every expat working in the UAE private sector needs to know. It’s written in plain English, not legalese.

Who Does UAE Labour Law Apply To?

The UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) applies to all private sector employees in the UAE, including expats. Government employees and domestic workers (housemaids, drivers employed by families) are covered under separate rules.

If you work for a mainland company or a free zone company that follows UAE law, this applies to you. Some free zones have their own employment regulations, so it’s worth checking which zone your employer is registered in.

Your Employment Contract

Every employee in the UAE must have a written employment contract. By law, this contract must include your job title, salary, working hours, leave entitlement, and notice period. Since the 2021 law update, all contracts are now “unlimited” by default — the old “limited contract” system still exists but is less common.

One important thing many people miss: your official MOHRE-registered contract (the one filed with the government) is the one that legally matters — not any side agreement your employer shows you separately. If there’s a conflict between the two, the MOHRE contract wins.

Probation Period

Your employer can put you on a probation period of up to 6 months. During probation, either side can end the employment, but there are notice period rules:

If the employer ends your employment during probation: they must give 14 days’ notice

If you resign during probation to join another UAE company: you must give 1 month’s notice

If you resign during probation to leave the UAE entirely: 14 days’ notice is enough

Violating these notice periods during probation can result in a ban from working in the UAE for a period of time, so be careful here.

Working Hours

The standard working week in the UAE is 48 hours, typically 8 hours per day, 6 days a week. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day for Muslim employees. Overtime must be paid at 125% of your hourly rate for the first 2 hours and 150% after that.

If your contract says “working hours as per business requirements” with no cap, that clause is technically not enforceable beyond the legal limit of 48 hours per week.

Annual Leave

You are entitled to paid annual leave based on how long you’ve worked:

First year of service: 2 days of leave per month (you can take leave after 6 months)

After 1 year of service: 30 calendar days per year

If you leave the job before taking your leave, the company must pay you for any unused leave days. This is calculated based on your basic salary, not your total package.

End of Service Gratuity

This is probably the most important financial benefit in UAE employment and many expats don’t fully understand it until they’re about to leave.

Gratuity is a lump-sum payment you receive when you leave a company after completing at least 1 year of service. The formula is based on your basic salary (not total salary) and your years of service:

First 5 years: 21 days’ basic salary per year

Beyond 5 years: 30 days’ basic salary per year

The total gratuity cannot exceed 2 years’ total basic salary. Use our Gratuity Calculator to work out exactly what you’re owed before you resign or get terminated.

If Your Salary Is Delayed

UAE law requires employers to pay salaries within 10 days of the due date. If your salary is delayed beyond this, you can file a complaint directly with MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) through:

The MOHRE app (available on iOS and Android)

The MOHRE website at mohre.gov.ae

By calling 800-MOHRE (80060473)

Salary delays are taken seriously. Repeat offenders can have their ability to hire new staff frozen by the government. Most legitimate companies fix salary issues quickly once a complaint is filed.

Termination — What’s Legal?

An employer can terminate you for performance or business reasons, but they must give proper notice (which ranges from 30 to 90 days depending on your contract). Immediate termination without notice is only legal in specific cases of serious misconduct defined by law — like assault, showing up drunk, or sharing confidential company information.

If you’re terminated without valid reason and without proper notice, you may be entitled to compensation of up to 3 months’ salary in addition to your gratuity and any unpaid leave.

The Bottom Line

UAE Labour Law is more employee-friendly than many people realise. The key is knowing your rights before you need them. Keep a copy of your MOHRE-registered contract somewhere you can access it easily. Check your payslips match your contract. And if something doesn’t feel right, use the MOHRE complaint process — it exists for a reason.

Calculate your gratuity: Use our free UAE Gratuity Calculator

Build your CV: Use our free AI CV Maker

Find jobs: Browse UAE Jobs on theuaecareer.com