UAE Labour Law Working Hours: Limits, Breaks and Ramadan Rules
Working hours are the spine of employment. They determine when you start, when you finish, how long you rest, and what you are paid when you exceed them. UAE Labour Law sets clear boundaries. Yet many employees have no idea what those boundaries are, and many employers stretch them beyond what the law allows.
This guide sets the record straight. Know your limits. Enforce them. Protect your wellbeing and your rights.
Standard Working Hours: The Legal Baseline
According to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the maximum normal working hours for private sector employees are:
This is the standard. Your employer cannot require you to work more than 8 hours on any given day or more than 48 hours in any calendar week without triggering overtime pay.
Some roles may work a lower schedule. Roles classified as “hazardous” or “heavy labour” are limited to a maximum of 6 hours per day. If your role involves chemical handling, extreme heat, or heavy lifting, MOHRE may classify it as hazardous. Confirm your classification with your HR department.
The Weekly Rest Day and Rest Breaks
You are entitled to at least one full rest day per week. For most private sector employees, Friday is the designated rest day. Some sectors (hospitality, healthcare, retail) operate 24/7 and may assign rest days on rotation, so your rest day might be Monday, Tuesday, or any other day, as long as it is at least one consecutive day per week.
During your working day, you are entitled to rest breaks. The law stipulates:
- One 30-minute break for an 8-hour shift (or equivalent for shorter shifts).
- This break is typically unpaid unless your contract specifies otherwise.
- Breaks should be provided within the first 6 hours of your shift.
In practice, many employers provide one hour of break time (30 minutes to an hour, depending on the company policy). Check your employment contract for your specific entitlement.
Overtime: Limits and Compensation
Beyond the standard 8 hours per day, you may work overtime. However, this is not unlimited.
Total weekly working hours not to exceed 144 hours every three weeks (averaged)
These are legal caps. Your employer cannot require you to exceed them without your written consent and compensation.
When you work overtime, you receive a premium on your base salary:
| Type of Overtime | Multiplier | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime (06:00 to 21:00, working day) | 1.25x | Base hourly rate plus 25% |
| Night (21:00 to 04:00) | 1.5x | Base hourly rate plus 50% |
| Friday or designated rest day | 1.5x + compensatory day | Base hourly rate plus 50%, plus one day off during the same week |
| Friday or rest day without compensatory day provided | 2.5x | Base hourly rate plus 150% |
These multipliers are mandatory. Your employer cannot negotiate lower rates or withhold overtime compensation.
Ramadan Working Hours Reduction
During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours daily for all private sector employees, regardless of religious practice. This applies to all staff.
You are paid your regular full salary during Ramadan. This reduction is a legal entitlement, not a concession or favour.
Overtime rules still apply if you work beyond the 6-hour limit. The premium multipliers (1.25x, 1.5x) remain the same. For 2026, Ramadan will run from 1 February to 1 March (provisional, subject to moon sighting).
Shift Work and Reduced Hours
If you work shifts (early morning, afternoon, night), the 8-hour limit applies per shift. However, if your role requires rotating shifts, you may work different hours on different days. The important point: the weekly average should not exceed 48 hours, and daily hours should not exceed 8 in normal circumstances.
Employees on reduced-hour contracts (for example, part-time staff working 6 hours daily) are still protected by minimum wage and are entitled to pro-rata benefits like annual leave and sick leave.
Who Is Exempt or Has Modified Rules?
Some categories of workers have different entitlements:
Senior Management and Executives: Directors and senior managers are sometimes exempt from the 8-hour limit and overtime entitlements if their contracts explicitly state this. However, exemption is not automatic. Check your contract. If it does not state you are exempt, the standard rules apply.
Hazardous Work: Roles involving exposure to heat, chemicals, or heavy labour are limited to 6 hours daily instead of 8. MOHRE’s hazardous work list determines this classification.
Security and Hospitality Staff: These sectors often operate extended hours due to service requirements. However, the weekly 48-hour average and overtime caps still apply. If you work 12-hour shifts, other days must be shorter to average 48 hours weekly.
Government and Semi-Government Employees: Federal employees follow Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) rules, which are similar but slightly different (45-hour week, different Ramadan provisions). Check FAHR guidance if you work in a government entity.
What to Do If Your Hours Exceed Legal Limits
Step 1: Document your hours. Keep a daily log for 2 to 4 weeks showing start time, end time, and break duration.
Step 2: Check your contract and the law. Compare your actual hours to your entitlement.
Step 3: Request a meeting with your HR department. Explain that your hours exceed legal limits and request a schedule adjustment or overtime compensation.
Step 4: If your employer refuses to comply, file a formal complaint with MOHRE’s Labour Dispute Resolution Centre. Bring your hour logs and contract as evidence.
MOHRE will investigate and order your employer to comply with the law, including back payment for overtime if required.
Key Points to Remember
- Standard hours: 8 per day, 48 per week. This is the legal baseline.
- Overtime: maximum 2 additional hours daily, paid at a premium rate (1.25x to 2.5x depending on time of day).
- Rest: One full day off per week (usually Friday). One 30-minute break per 8-hour shift.
- Ramadan: Working hours reduce to 6 per day. You are paid in full.
- Exemptions: Senior management and hazardous roles have different rules. Check your contract.
- Non-negotiable: These are legal minimums. Your contract cannot offer less.
Further Reading
For details on calculating overtime pay, see the Overtime Calculation in UAE guide. To use a calculator to determine your exact payment for specific hours worked, visit the Overtime Calculator UAE.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Concerning Regulating Labour Relations (UAE Labour Law). Articles on working hours, rest periods, and overtime.
- MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). Working Hours and Rest Breaks Guidance. Retrieved 2025.
- u.ae (Official UAE Government Portal). Working Hours and Overtime Information. Retrieved 2025.
- Sundustea Global. UAE Ramadan Working Hours 2026. 2025.
- Boundless HQ. Hours of Work in the UAE. 2025.
