Employees in the UAE private sector now have clear overtime rules, a development that aligns the country’s labour standards with modern workplace expectations.
The UAE Labour Law caps normal working hours at eight hours per day or 48 hours per week, as set out in Article 17. This ceiling is intended to protect workers from excessive daily workloads while ensuring that businesses can plan staffing within a predictable framework.
Article 17 also allows the Cabinet, on the proposal of the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and in coordination with concerned authorities, to adjust daily hours for certain sectors or worker categories. Such flexibility acknowledges that some industries may require different schedules, but any change must follow the formal proposal process.
Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 specifies three situations where commute time is counted as work: delays caused by bad weather warnings from the National Centre of Meteorology, delays while using employer‑provided transport due to accidents or breakdowns, and explicit agreement in the labour contract. By treating these commute interruptions as work time, the resolution safeguards employees who might otherwise lose pay for unavoidable delays.
Overtime is limited to two extra hours per day under Article 19. In exceptional cases, longer overtime may be required to prevent serious loss or accidents, as allowed by Article 15(3) of the same resolution. This exception ensures that critical operations can continue when safety or asset protection is at stake, while still imposing an overall cap.
The total working hours must not exceed 144 hours in any three‑week period, reinforcing the principle that even overtime must be bounded to avoid burnout.
Overtime pay is calculated on the basic wage, not the full salary, with a 25% premium added for regular overtime. If overtime occurs between 10 pm and 4 am, the premium rises to 50%. The basic wage is the figure listed in the offer letter and the labour contract, providing a transparent base for any additional compensation.
These provisions give workers a transparent framework for extra hours and compensation, helping both employees and employers understand their rights and obligations under the law.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the daily working hour limit for private sector employees in the UAE?
UAE overtime pay rules set the normal workday at eight hours, or 48 hours per week, as stipulated in Article 17 of the Labour Law.
How many overtime hours can an employee work per day under UAE overtime pay rules?
Overtime is capped at two extra hours per day under Article 19, and the total work hours cannot exceed 144 hours in any three‑week period.
What premium rate applies to overtime worked between 10 pm and 4 am in the UAE?
If overtime occurs between 10 pm and 4 am, the premium rises to 50 % of the basic wage, double the regular 25 % rate.
When does commute time count as work under Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022?
Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 counts commute time as work when bad‑weather warnings from the National Centre of Meteorology cause delays, when employer‑provided transport is delayed by accidents or breakdowns, or when the labour contract explicitly agrees to it.
