10 things to know about UAE labour law
Private-sector employment in the UAE is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Here are ten points every employee should know, followed by your rights on pay, documents and disputes.
- Fixed-term contracts only: Unlimited-term contracts were abolished, so every private-sector contract is fixed-term and can be renewed. Employers had until 2 February 2023 to move existing staff across.
- Probation notice: Probation cannot exceed six months. If you resign during it, you give 14 days’ notice when leaving the UAE, or 30 days if joining another UAE employer.
- Maternity leave: 60 calendar days, 45 at full pay and 15 at half pay.
- Compassionate leave: 5 days on the death of a spouse, and 3 days for a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling.
- Parental leave: 5 working days of paid leave, to be taken within six months of the child’s birth.
- Study leave: Up to 10 days a year to sit exams, after two years of service, at an approved UAE institution.
- Work permits: Employers must obtain a valid permit for every worker, matching the job.
- Employee duties: Work as your contract and employer direct, and keep work secrets confidential.
- No discrimination: The law prohibits discrimination and requires equal pay for equal work.
- Workplace policies: Know your employer’s policies, including health and safety, and follow them.
Beyond leave: pay, documents and who pays what
| Topic | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Wages | The Wages Protection System is meant to make sure employees are paid in full and on time |
| Recruitment costs | Employers bear recruitment, travel and residency permit costs. Charging recruitment fees to prospective employees is illegal |
| Passports | Employers cannot confiscate passports |
| Leaving the country | Workers do not need employer permission to leave the country |
| Changing jobs | Workers may leave a job at any time while being aware of their legal obligations |
| Conduct at work | Harassment, bullying, violence and psychological abuse are addressed, and forced labour and discrimination are prohibited |
| Child labour | Employing children under 15 is banned |
| Unemployment cover | Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2022 sets up an unemployment insurance scheme |
If something goes wrong
- Late or incomplete salary: use MOHRE’s “My salary complaint” service.
- Advice or a labour claim: call the MOHRE Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre on 80084.
- Court costs: workers are exempt from litigation fees for claims under AED 100,000.
- Keep your signed job offer and contract. Contract terms should match the offer signed in your home country.
Where to go next: which guide answers which question
| Your question | Read |
|---|---|
| How much notice do I give? | Resigning in the UAE |
| How many leave days do I get? | Annual leave rules |
| Is this job offer real? | MOHRE job offer check |
| Someone asked me for a fee | Job offer asking for fees |
| I am looking for work on a visit visa | Jobseeker visa eligibility |
For notice periods and leave in detail, see our guides to resigning in the UAE and annual leave.
Frequently asked questions
Does this law cover free zones and government staff?
This guide covers private-sector employment under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. Free zones such as DIFC and ADGM have their own rules in some areas, so check your zone’s rules.
Can my employer ask me to pay recruitment fees?
No. Charging recruitment fees to prospective employees is illegal in the UAE.
For the situations in which an employer can dismiss without notice, read the ten cases listed in Article 44.
Also ReadUAE Annual Leave Rules Explained
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