UAE Labour Law PDF – A Complete Guide to Employment Regulations in the UAE
The UAE Labour Law PDF is an essential document for employees, employers, and HR professionals to understand labor regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE’s legal framework governs employment contracts, working hours, end-of-service benefits, termination policies, and much more. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the latest UAE Labour Law and where to download the official UAE Labour Law PDF.
Overview of UAE Labour Law
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Authority | Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) |
| Applicable To | All private-sector employees under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 |
| Key Areas Covered | Employment contracts, working hours, overtime, leave, termination, and end-of-service benefits |
| Latest Update | New Labour Law implemented on February 2, 2022 |
| UAE Labour Law PDF Download | Available on the MOHRE website |
1. How to Download UAE Labour Law PDF
To access the official UAE Labour Law PDF, follow these steps:
- Visit the MOHRE Website: Go to www.mohre.gov.ae.
- Navigate to Legal Resources: Click on the Laws & Regulations section.
- Select UAE Labour Law PDF: Choose the latest version of the UAE Labour Law.
- Download and Save: Click the download button to save it for offline access.
2. Employment Contracts in UAE Labour Law
The UAE Labour Law PDF outlines two types of employment contracts:
| Contract Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Limited Contract | Fixed-term contract (maximum 3 years, renewable). |
| Unlimited Contract | Phased out in 2023 – all employees must now have fixed-term contracts. |
Key Points:
- All employment contracts must be written and registered with MOHRE.
- Contracts should specify salary, benefits, job role, and duration.
- Employers cannot force employees to work beyond the agreed terms.
3. Working Hours & Overtime Rules in UAE Labour Law
| Category | Working Hours | Overtime Rules |
|---|---|---|
| General Employees | 8 hours per day (48 hours per week) | Extra pay for work beyond regular hours. |
| Private Sector | 40-48 hours per week (depends on industry) | 25-50% extra pay for overtime. |
| During Ramadan | Reduced to 6 hours per day | Overtime rules still apply. |
- Employees working beyond normal hours are entitled to overtime compensation.
- Working on Fridays or public holidays grants additional pay or compensatory leave.
4. Leave Entitlements Under UAE Labour Law
| Leave Type | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Annual Leave | 30 days for employees with over 1 year of service. |
| Sick Leave | 90 days per year (first 15 days paid, next 30 days half pay, last 45 days unpaid). |
| Maternity Leave | 60 days (45 days full pay, 15 days half pay). |
| Paternity Leave | 5 days within 6 months of childbirth. |
| Hajj/Umrah Leave | Up to 30 days unpaid leave for pilgrimage. |
- Employers cannot refuse statutory leave entitlements.
- Unused annual leave must be compensated financially.
5. UAE Labour Law on Termination & Resignation
| Termination Type | Notice Period | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Resignation by Employee | 30-90 days | No compensation if proper notice is given. |
| Termination by Employer | 30-90 days | Gratuity and compensation apply based on service duration. |
| Dismissal Without Notice | No notice required | Only applicable in cases of serious misconduct. |
Key Takeaways:
- Notice periods range from 30 to 90 days based on contract terms.
- Wrongful termination entitles employees to compensation.
- Employees dismissed without a valid reason can file a complaint with MOHRE.
6. End-of-Service Benefits (Gratuity) Under UAE Labour Law
| Service Duration | Gratuity Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1-5 years | 21 days’ salary for each completed year. |
| More than 5 years | 30 days’ salary for each additional year. |
| Less than 1 year | No gratuity entitlement. |
- Gratuity is calculated based on the employee’s last basic salary.
- Employees who resign before completing 1 year are not eligible for gratuity.
7. Employee Rights & Protection Under UAE Labour Law
The UAE Labour Law ensures that all employees in the country are protected by a legal framework that promotes fairness, safety, and equality in the workplace. Below are the key employee rights and protections under the UAE Labour Law.
1. Equal Treatment & Non-Discrimination
| Protection | Details |
|---|---|
| No Discrimination | Employers cannot discriminate based on nationality, gender, race, religion, or disability. |
| Equal Pay for Equal Work | Male and female employees must receive equal salaries for performing the same job role. |
| No Forced Labor | All employment must be voluntary and documented in legal contracts. |
| Protection Against Harassment | Any form of workplace harassment, bullying, or abuse is strictly prohibited. |
| Fair Treatment | Employees cannot be unfairly treated based on personal differences. |
Key Takeaways:
- Women and men must receive equal pay for the same work.
- Any workplace discrimination can be reported to MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).
- Employers must ensure a harassment-free work environment.
2. Working Conditions & Occupational Safety
The UAE Labour Law provides strict guidelines on workplace health and safety to protect employees from risks.
| Workplace Right | Details |
|---|---|
| Safe Work Environment | Employers must provide a hazard-free work setting. |
| Medical Insurance | Employers must offer mandatory health insurance to employees. |
| Protective Equipment | Workers in hazardous jobs (construction, factories) must be provided with safety gear. |
| Rest Breaks | Employees must get a break after 5 consecutive hours of work. |
| Protection from Workplace Injuries | Employers must compensate employees for work-related injuries. |
Key Takeaways:
- Health insurance is mandatory for all employees.
- Employers must provide protective equipment for jobs involving safety risks.
- Regular rest breaks are mandatory under UAE law.
3. Wages & Payment Protection
The UAE Labour Law has strict policies to protect employee salaries and ensure timely payments.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | No official minimum wage, but salaries must match the job and industry standards. |
| Timely Salary Payment | Employers must pay salaries on time through the Wages Protection System (WPS). |
| Overtime Pay | Extra pay for working beyond normal working hours. |
| Unpaid Wages Penalty | Employers can face fines of AED 5,000 – 50,000 per unpaid employee. |
| Bank Payment Requirement | Companies must pay salaries through registered banks to ensure transparency. |
Key Takeaways:
- Delayed salary payments are illegal and punishable by fines.
- Employees working overtime must receive extra compensation.
- Salaries must be processed through UAE-registered banks.
4. Working Hours & Overtime Rights
| Category | Working Hours | Overtime Rules |
|---|---|---|
| General Employees | 8 hours per day, 48 hours per week | Overtime = 25%-50% extra pay |
| During Ramadan | Reduced to 6 hours per day | Overtime rules still apply |
| Night Shift (9 PM – 4 AM) | Extra 25% pay | Special overtime allowance |
- Employees cannot be forced to work overtime without proper compensation.
- Special overtime pay applies to night shift workers.
- Government workers may have different work hours based on official regulations.
5. Leave & Holiday Rights
| Leave Type | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Annual Leave | 30 days for employees working over 1 year. |
| Sick Leave | 90 days per year (First 15 days fully paid, next 30 days half pay, last 45 days unpaid). |
| Maternity Leave | 60 days (45 days full pay, 15 days half pay). |
| Paternity Leave | 5 days within 6 months of childbirth. |
| Public Holidays | Employees are entitled to paid UAE public holidays. |
- Employers cannot deny statutory leave rights.
- Maternity leave is fully protected, and female employees cannot be terminated for taking maternity leave.
- Employees are entitled to full salary for public holidays announced by the UAE government.
6. End-of-Service Benefits (Gratuity Pay)
Employees who complete at least 1 year of service are entitled to gratuity payments.
| Years of Service | Gratuity Calculation |
|---|---|
| 1-5 years | 21 days of basic salary per year. |
| More than 5 years | 30 days of basic salary per year. |
| Less than 1 year | No gratuity entitlement. |
- Gratuity is calculated based on basic salary only (excluding allowances).
- Employees terminated unfairly can claim additional compensation.
7. Unlawful Termination Protection
| Termination Type | Employee Rights |
|---|---|
| Termination Without Cause | Employer must provide compensation for unfair dismissal. |
| Wrongful Dismissal | Employees can file a complaint with MOHRE. |
| Notice Period Rules | 30-90 days required, depending on contract terms. |
- Unlawful termination entitles employees to up to 3 months’ salary as compensation.
- Employees fired unfairly can file a legal case through MOHRE.
8. Complaint Filing & Legal Assistance for Employees
If an employer violates UAE Labour Law, employees can file a complaint with the authorities.
| Complaint Type | Where to Report |
|---|---|
| Unpaid Salaries | MOHRE or Labour Court |
| Workplace Harassment | MOHRE Complaint Hotline: 600-590000 |
| Termination Issues | MOHRE or UAE Labour Dispute Center |
| Contract Violations | MOHRE Online Complaint Portal |
- Employees must report violations within one year from the incident.
- Cases of salary fraud or harassment are treated with high priority.
- Labour courts resolve disputes within a few months in most cases.
8. UAE Labour Law Violations & Penalties
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Non-Payment of Salaries | AED 5,000–50,000 fine per affected employee. |
| Illegal Termination | Compensation equal to 3 months’ salary. |
| Failure to Provide Contracts | Hefty fines and business suspension. |
Employees can report violations via MOHRE’s hotline 600-590000 or online complaint system.
9. UAE Labour Law Updates & Amendments
The latest UAE Labour Law update (2022) introduced:
✔️ Flexible work arrangements – Part-time, remote, and temporary work contracts.
✔️ Stronger protections – Enhanced anti-discrimination and equal pay laws.
✔️ Contract standardization – Elimination of unlimited contracts.
Stay updated by downloading the UAE Labour Law PDF and following MOHRE announcements.
Conclusion: Why the UAE Labour Law PDF is Essential
Understanding the UAE Labour Law PDF is crucial for both employees and employers to ensure compliance with local regulations. Whether you are looking for details on contracts, salaries, working hours, or termination policies, this document provides all necessary legal guidelines.
🔹 Download the official UAE Labour Law PDF from the MOHRE website to stay updated on the latest regulations.
