Most workers arrive in the UAE knowing their salary but not their hours. That gap is where disputes start: a supervisor asks for “just two more hours” every night, a day off quietly disappears, or a sick day turns into an argument. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the UAE Labour Law, sets clear minimums for private-sector employees, and knowing them lets you read your contract with confidence.
This guide covers the rules that affect a normal working week: daily and weekly hours, breaks, overtime pay, the summer midday ban, Ramadan hours, annual leave and sick leave. It applies to mainland private-sector employees. It does not cover domestic workers, government employees or staff in free zones with their own employment rules.
Quick answer
- Normal working hours are 8 per day or 48 per week under Article 17 of the Labour Law.
- Overtime cannot exceed 2 hours in a day and is paid at the normal hourly rate plus 25%, rising to 50% between 10 pm and 4 am.
- Working on your weekly off day earns a substitute rest day or pay at the normal rate plus 50%.
- Annual leave is 30 days once you complete one year, and two days per month after six months of service.
- Sick leave is up to 90 days a year after probation: 15 days on full pay, 30 on half pay, the rest unpaid.
Normal working hours and breaks
The UAE government portal states that normal private-sector working hours are 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. Executive regulations can raise or lower the daily figure for certain sectors or categories of worker, so a security guard on a shift pattern may have a different schedule from an office clerk. Time spent commuting from home to work is not counted as working time, except for categories named in the regulations.
If you work for more than one employer, neither can require more than the hours agreed in your contract unless you consent in writing. If you ask to work remotely, the employer must specify working hours.
After five consecutive hours of work you are entitled to one or more breaks totalling at least one hour. Breaks are not counted as working hours, which is why a “9 to 6” day with a one-hour lunch is an 8-hour day.
Overtime: what the law allows and what it pays
An employer may ask for overtime when the nature of the work requires it, but the extra hours cannot exceed two in a single day. The pay rules are specific:
| Situation | What you are owed |
|---|---|
| Overtime during the day | Normal hourly pay (based on basic salary) plus 25% |
| Overtime between 10 pm and 4 am | Normal hourly pay plus 50% |
| Working on your contractual off day | A substitute rest day, or normal pay plus 50% |
| Shift workers | The overtime premium rule does not apply to workers on shift patterns |
Notice the phrase “based on basic salary”. Overtime is calculated on your basic pay, not on housing or transport allowances. That is why the split between basic and allowances in your contract matters more than most people realise.
The summer midday break
Under Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, work performed directly under the sun in open places is not allowed between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm from 15 June to 15 September every year. This is a safety rule and it applies to outdoor workers in construction, delivery, landscaping and similar jobs. Industry compliance guides report that fines start at AED 5,000 per worker for breaches, but check the current penalty schedule with MOHRE before relying on a figure.
If you work outdoors and are told to keep going through the midday window, that is worth raising with your employer in writing and, if needed, reporting through MOHRE.
Ramadan working hours
During Ramadan, MOHRE has announced in past years that private-sector working hours are reduced by two hours per day for all employees. The ministry publishes the arrangement each year, so look for its announcement before the month begins. Earlier MOHRE announcements also stated that the reduction does not cut wages, and that companies may use flexible or remote patterns within the reduced daily hours.
Annual leave
After one year of service you are entitled to 30 days of fully paid annual leave. Once you complete six months you accrue two days for each month worked. Leave is counted in calendar days, so weekends inside your leave period count toward the 30. If your service ends before you use your balance, you are paid for the fraction of the final year you worked.
A separate, unpaid Hajj leave of up to 30 days can be granted once during your employment. The government portal also lists other leave types, including maternity, parental, compassionate, study and national service leave, each with its own conditions.
Sick leave
After you finish probation you may take up to 90 days of sick leave per year, continuous or in separate blocks. Secondary legal sources agree on the pay structure under Article 31: the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 at half pay and the last 45 unpaid. Tell your employer within the notice period stated in your contract and bring a medical report from an approved provider.
Legal commentary notes that an employer cannot terminate you because of illness during the 90-day entitlement. Keep every medical certificate, because your sick days are added together across the year.
What to do if your employer does not follow these rules
- Read your contract and payslips. Check the stated hours, the basic salary and the overtime clause.
- Keep your own record of days worked, late finishes and any messages asking you to stay.
- Raise it in writing with HR or your manager first.
- File a complaint with MOHRE through its website or app if the issue continues. MOHRE can issue a final decision on labour disputes with claims under AED 50,000.
For related rights, see our guides on UAE salary payment rules, end-of-service gratuity, and changing jobs without a labour ban.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer make me work more than 8 hours a day in the UAE?
Only within the overtime limit. Extra hours cannot exceed two in a day, and they must be paid at the legal premium unless you are a shift worker.
Is overtime calculated on my total salary?
No. The government portal states that overtime is calculated from the remuneration for normal hours, which is based on basic salary.
Do I get paid for my lunch break?
No. Breaks of at least one hour after five consecutive hours of work are not counted within working hours.
How many sick days can I take in my first months?
Paid sick leave under the law starts after probation. During probation, sick leave depends on your employer’s policy, so ask before you join.
Do free zone employees follow these rules?
Some free zones, such as DIFC and ADGM, have their own employment regulations. Check which framework your contract falls under.
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: Working hours in the private sector
- UAE Government Portal: Types of leaves and entitlements
- Gulf News: Private sector working hours reduced during Ramadan
- Gulf News: MOHRE final decisions on claims under AED 50,000
- Emirates 24|7: Types of employee leave under the UAE Labour Law
Last reviewed: 29 September 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your specific entitlements in your contract and with MOHRE.