If you work in the UAE private sector, your rights and obligations are set by the UAE Labour Law – formally Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, in force since February 2022 and updated since. It covers your contract, probation, working hours, leave, notice periods, end-of-service gratuity and how you are paid. This guide explains the key rules every employee should know, in plain English, so you understand what you are entitled to and what your employer must do.
This is part of our guide to working in the UAE. For pay specifically, see our gratuity calculator and the visa side in our UAE work visa guide. This is general information, not legal advice – always check the official law or MOHRE for your specific situation.
Quick answer
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, private-sector employees in the UAE are entitled to a written contract, a probation period of no more than six months, standard working hours of eight per day or forty-eight per week, thirty days of annual leave after one year, paid sick leave, maternity leave, a notice period (usually thirty days) when either side ends the contract, and an end-of-service gratuity after at least one year. Salaries must be paid through the Wage Protection System (WPS). All contracts are now fixed-term.
Your employment contract
Every private-sector job in the UAE must have a written employment contract registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). Since the 2022 law, all contracts are fixed-term (the old open-ended contracts were phased out), typically for up to three years and renewable. Your contract and the MOHRE offer letter set out your job title, salary, hours and benefits, and they are the reference point if a dispute ever arises – so keep a copy and make sure the details match what you were promised. Your labour card confirms your legal right to work for that specific employer.
Probation period
The maximum probation period is six months, and it cannot be extended or renewed. During probation, the rules on ending the contract are different from afterwards:
- If the employer ends the contract during probation, they must give 14 days’ written notice.
- If you leave to move to another employer inside the UAE during probation, you generally give one month’s notice.
- If you leave to depart the country during probation, you generally give 14 days’ notice.
Passing probation does not change your core entitlements, but some benefits (such as paid sick leave) apply more fully afterwards.
Working hours and the work week
Standard working hours are eight hours a day or forty-eight hours a week. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by two hours a day. Overtime, where it applies, is paid at a premium under the law. The UAE public sector moved to a Monday-to-Friday week with a half-day Friday in 2022, and many private companies now follow a Saturday-Sunday or Friday-Sunday weekend – your contract specifies your exact schedule.
Annual leave
Once you complete one year of continuous service, you are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave. If you have more than six months but less than a year of service, you earn two days of leave for each month worked. Leave is paid at your normal wage, and untaken leave is generally paid out when you leave the job.
Sick leave
After probation, employees are entitled to paid sick leave under the law – commonly structured as the first 15 days on full pay, the next 30 days on half pay, and any further period unpaid, within a defined annual limit. During probation, sick leave is generally unpaid. You must report illness and provide a medical certificate as required.
Maternity and parental leave
Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave – 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay – with additional unpaid leave available in the case of pregnancy-related illness. The law also provides a short period of parental leave for the parent of a newborn. These are minimum entitlements; some employers offer more.
Notice period and ending employment
After probation, either you or your employer must give written notice to end the contract – usually 30 days, though contracts can set a longer period within statutory limits (up to 90 days). During the notice period you continue to work and be paid, and you are entitled to paid time off to look for a new job. The law sets out limited grounds on which either side can end a contract without notice.
End-of-service gratuity
When you leave a job after at least one year of continuous service, you are owed an end-of-service gratuity based on your basic salary – 21 days’ pay per year for the first five years and 30 days per year afterwards, capped at two years’ pay. Because this is one of the most misunderstood parts of the law, we built a dedicated tool: estimate yours with the UAE gratuity calculator.
How you must be paid: the Wage Protection System
Salaries in the private sector must be paid through the Wage Protection System (WPS) – an electronic system that routes wages through approved banks and exchange houses so MOHRE can confirm employees are paid correctly and on time. Wages are due within 15 days of the end of the pay period. If an establishment is not WPS-compliant, MOHRE transactions such as new work permits can be blocked, which is why WPS problems sometimes surface at renewal time.
Is there a minimum wage in the UAE?
There is no universal fixed minimum wage for expatriate workers set out as a single figure; instead, the law and MOHRE guidance frame pay around ensuring wages meet basic needs, and salary levels are largely market-driven. Note that a minimum salary threshold of AED 6,000 applies to UAE nationals in certain private-sector contexts from 2026 as part of Emiratisation policy. For most expatriate employees, your salary is what you negotiate and what your contract states – see our guide to the minimum salary in the UAE.
What to do if something goes wrong
If your employer breaches the contract – for example, unpaid wages, wrongful termination or unlawful deductions – you can raise a complaint with MOHRE, which handles labour disputes and can refer unresolved cases onward. Keep copies of your contract, offer letter, payslips and any correspondence, as documentation is what supports a claim. Because outcomes depend on the specifics, serious disputes are worth getting proper legal advice on.
Related reading
This guide sits alongside the rest of our work cluster: understand the visa in our UAE work visa guide, plan your budget with the cost of living in Dubai, see typical pay in the UAE salary guide, and estimate your payout with the gratuity calculator.
Need help with an employment or visa issue?
If your situation involves a visa, residency or contract question, Emirae can help you find the right support through Employment Visa Support. You can also submit a request and get matched with the right help.
FAQ
What is the maximum probation period in the UAE?
Six months. It cannot be extended or renewed. During probation, an employer must give 14 days notice to terminate, while an employee moving to another UAE employer generally gives one month notice, or 14 days if leaving the country.
How much annual leave am I entitled to in the UAE?
After one year of continuous service, 30 calendar days of paid annual leave. Between six months and one year of service, you earn two days of leave for each month worked.
What is the notice period in the UAE?
After probation, notice is usually 30 days, though contracts can specify a longer period within statutory limits (up to 90 days). You continue to work and be paid during notice and are entitled to time off to find a new job.
What are the standard working hours in the UAE?
Eight hours per day or 48 hours per week, reduced by two hours a day during Ramadan. Overtime is paid at a premium where it applies.
Is there a minimum wage in the UAE?
There is no single fixed minimum wage for expatriate workers; pay is largely market-driven and set by your contract. A minimum salary threshold of AED 6,000 applies to UAE nationals in certain private-sector contexts from 2026 under Emiratisation policy.
What is the Wage Protection System (WPS)?
WPS is the mandatory electronic system through which private-sector salaries must be paid, via approved banks and exchange houses, so MOHRE can confirm employees are paid correctly. Wages are due within 15 days of the end of the pay period.
How much maternity leave is there in the UAE?
Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave – 45 days on full pay and 15 days on half pay – with additional unpaid leave available for pregnancy-related illness.
What can I do if my UAE employer breaks the contract?
Raise a complaint with MOHRE, which handles labour disputes. Keep your contract, offer letter, payslips and correspondence as evidence. For serious cases, seek proper legal advice.
UAE Business Setup Specialist
Krystyna Sokolovska is a UAE business setup specialist who helps founders, independent professionals, and growing companies navigate business launch decisions in the Emirates with more clarity and less risk. Her work focuses on the practical side of entry into the UAE market — choosing the right setup path, understanding licensing options, preparing for banking, planning visa steps, and avoiding common mistakes that slow companies down.
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