A private-sector employee in the UAE who is required to work on an official holiday is compensated with another rest day, or is paid for that day at the normal daily wage plus an addition of at least 50 per cent of basic wage, according to the u.ae government portal, which cites Article 28 of the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). The same portal says employees are entitled to paid leave on the public holidays observed in the country.
What do you receive for working on a public holiday?
| Form of compensation | What it means |
|---|---|
| A substitute rest day | Another rest day in place of the holiday you worked |
| Pay for the day | The wage you would be paid on a normal day plus at least 50 per cent on your basic wage |
The u.ae pages describe these as the two ways the employer compensates you; they do not say that the employee picks between them, so ask your employer which one applies before the day and get the answer in writing.
How is the 50 per cent worked out?
The u.ae page on working hours and overtime words the same rule as pay equal to normal working hours’ remuneration, which is based on basic salary, plus 50 per cent of that pay, or a substitute rest day. Both u.ae pages therefore tie the calculation to basic salary, not to your whole package. Your contract is where your basic salary is stated, so check that line before you compare your payslip.
What if the holiday falls inside your annual leave?
u.ae says public holidays or agreed leave days that fall within the annual leave period are considered part of the annual leave, unless your employment contract or company policy gives more favourable terms. Annual leave itself is fully paid and is 30 days after one year of service, according to the same page. So a holiday inside your leave does not add days to it by default, and your contract or the company policy is the place to look for anything better.
What should you do if you are asked to work on a holiday?
- Ask which form of compensation applies: a substitute rest day, or pay at the normal rate plus at least 50 per cent of basic wage.
- Find the basic salary line in your contract, because the extra pay is calculated on it.
- Keep your own note of the date and hours you worked, so the payslip or the rest day can be matched to it.
- If the compensation does not arrive, raise it with your employer first, then use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) channels for the private sector.
The practical next step is to read how your leave is counted before the holiday arrives: our explainer on UAE annual leave rules sets out the 30-day entitlement and the other leave types under the same law.
Where to go next
- UAE annual leave rules explained
- Can your boss call you during approved annual leave?
- Whether transport allowance is included in annual leave pay
- How the holiday transfer rule moves long weekends
- How to report workplace violations to MOHRE by phone, app or website
