Starting Business Operations in the UAE? Here are the Hiring Regulations

Whether you are a business owner planning to expand to the UAE or a skilled worker looking for work there, knowing the hiring regulations is crucial to staying compliant and protecting your rights.

Work Permits

A UAE work permit is an official document allowing a foreign national to legally work in the UAE. An employer typically sponsors it and essentially acts as a “job licence,” permitting employees to live and work in the UAE. It is often called a “standard work visa” managed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Working Hours and Overtime

The UAE has a six-day workweek, with a typical workday lasting eight hours. However, this reduces to six hours per day during Ramadan. Also, employees are entitled to 45 days of paid sick leave per year.

Working hours

Usually, the time taken to commute to and from the workplace is not included in calculating the working hours, except for certain professions specified under the Executive Regulations of the Labour Law. Employees are entitled to one or more breaks of at least one hour for every five hours.

Overtime during regular workdays

In the UAE, any work beyond the time documented in the employment contract, such as on weekends or during public holidays, is considered overtime. All overtime has to be paid.

Overtime during working days

Overtime is typically capped at 2 hours per day and compensated at an increased rate, usually 25% extra for regular overtime and 50% extra for hours worked between 10 pm and 4 am.

Overtime during off days

When employees work during their off days, as specified in the employment contract or labour regulations, they are entitled to compensation in one of the following forms:

• A substitute rest day. OR
• Monetary compensation of regular wage plus 50% of the basic pay for each extra workday.

The chosen form of overtime compensation can be specified in the employment contract or decided and communicated when overtime is planned.