Working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) means adhering to stringent Labour laws. These laws encompass various aspects of employment, from working hours to annual leave policies and other crucial employment-related facets.
Understanding Labour Laws in the UAE
The UAE Labour laws have recently undergone modifications concerning working hours, annual leave entitlements, and other significant aspects relevant to employment. These laws also delineate requirements and regulations regarding maternity leave, sick leave, termination of employment, and workplace safety standards.
Exploring Key Labour Laws
Working Hours According to Article 65 of the UAE Labor Laws, employees in the private sector are entitled to work for a maximum of 8 hours per day, equating to 48 hours per week. If employers necessitate their employees to work for a total of 9 hours or more, special approval is required, particularly applicable to sectors such as hotels and cafes. Government entities, however, are exempt from adhering to the UAE Labour laws, enabling them to engage their workforce for 7 hours per day instead of 8. Violating these stipulated hours can contribute to an unhealthy work environment, contrary to the law's objectives. During Ramadan, working hours are further reduced by two hours to allow employees to return home and rest.
Overtime Work In cases where employees are required to work beyond regular hours due to emergencies or errors in orders, employers must compensate their employees for that day, along with a 25 percent premium on top of the standard salary. If overtime work occurs between 9 pm to 4 am, employers are obligated to pay 50% more, in addition to the regular pay.
Managing Official Leaves All employees are entitled to a day off from work on Fridays, serving as the official weekend for workers. Should any employee be mandated to work on official leave days or holidays, they must be compensated with an additional rest day along with 50% of their wages for that day (inclusive of regular pay). If granting another rest day is impractical due to workplace exigencies, employers are required to provide 150% of the worker’s wage as compensation.
Maternity and Childcare Leave Female employees who have served at the same company for at least one year are entitled to 45 days of paid leave from work. If one year of service has not been completed, female workers are granted leave with half pay. They have the option to extend their leave by up to ten days, albeit considered as unpaid leave. During the first eighteen months after childbirth, female employees are entitled to two rest periods during their working hours, each not exceeding 30 minutes.
Annual Leave All employees are entitled to two days off per month. However, to qualify for this entitlement, they must have completed a total of six months in the workplace. Employees who have served in the same workplace for one year are eligible for a total of thirty days off from work.
By comprehensively understanding and adhering to these Labour laws, both employers and employees in the UAE can foster a harmonious and legally compliant work environment.
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