1. Your right to fair working hours

Understanding how your time is valued and regulated is the foundation of a healthy work-life balance. The law clearly defines the boundaries of a standard workday to protect your well-being. 

• Standard hours: your maximum normal working hours are eight hours per day or forty-eight hours per week 
• Ramadan hours: during the holy month of Ramadan, this is reduced by two hours daily 
• Breaks: you cannot be required to work for more than five consecutive hours without at least a one-hour break in total 
• Overtime pay: if you work beyond normal hours, you are entitled to your basic wage plus a 25% bonus. This bonus increases to 50% for overtime work between 10 pm and 4 am 
• Working on rest days: If you must work on your designated rest day and are not given another day off, you are entitled to your basic wage plus a 150% bonus for that day 

2. Your right to holidays and leaves 

Time off is crucial for rest, family, and personal development. The UAE law ensures you have access to various types of paid leave to support different life events. 

• Weekly rest: You are entitled to at least one paid rest day per week 
• Annual leave: You get thirty days of paid annual leave for each full year of service. if you've worked more than six months but less than a year, you get two days of leave per month 
• Bereavement leave: You are entitled to 5 days for the death of a spouse, and 3 days for the death of a parent, child, sibling, or grandparent 
• Parental leave: Either parent is granted 5 working days of leave, which can be taken anytime within the first six months of a child's birth 
• Study leave: After two years of service, you are entitled to 10 working days per year to take exams if you are enrolled in an approved educational institution 

3. Your right to a clear and binding contract 

Clarity from the very beginning prevents future misunderstandings. Your employment journey in the uae is secured by official documentation that matches what you were promised. 

• Official job offer: You must receive an official employment offer on a ministry-approved form before you begin work 
• Contract integrity: Your final contract can add more benefits than what was in the offer, but it cannot offer less 
• Verification: You can verify the authenticity of your job offer using its unique barcode on the ministry's website or app 

4. Your right to on-time and equal pay

Fair and timely compensation is a fundamental right. The UAE ensures your wages are protected and that pay is determined by work, not gender. 

• Wage protection system (WPS): Your right to receive your wages on schedule is guaranteed through the WPS 
• Equal pay for equal work: The law explicitly states that a woman must be granted a wage equal to that of a man if she performs the same work or work of equal value \

5. Your right to occupational health and safety 

Your employer has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment. The ministry actively enforces measures to protect you from workplace hazards. 

• Workplace safety: Your employer must provide protection against work injuries, occupational diseases, and other dangers from equipment use 
• Safe accommodation: If accommodation is provided by the employer, it must meet legally required standards 
• Midday break rule: From june 15 to september 15 each year, work in open, sunny places is prohibited between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm 

6. Your right to end-of-service benefits 

As a foreign worker, your long-term contribution is recognized with a gratuity payment when your service ends. The law provides a clear formula for this benefit. 

• Eligibility: You are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one full year of continuous service 
• Calculation: The gratuity is calculated as 21 days' basic wage for each of your first five years of service, and 30 days' basic wage for each year after that 
• Maximum payout: The total gratuity amount cannot be more than the equivalent of two years' total wage 
• Part-time work: Gratuity for part-time workers is calculated proportionally based on the hours worked

7. Your right to a discrimination-free workplace

A professional environment must be built on equality and respect. The UAE law strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and forced labour to ensure a safe and fair workplace for all. 

• No forced labour: Your employer cannot force you to work against your will 
• Anti-harassment: Sexual harassment, bullying, and any form of verbal, physical, or psychological violence are strictly prohibited 
• Anti-discrimination: It is illegal to discriminate based on race, sex, colour, religion, national or social origin, or disability 

Empowering your career journey

Knowing these seven rights is the first step toward navigating your career in the UAE with confidence and security. These laws are in place to create a balanced, fair, and productive work environment that protects you as a professional. By being informed, you not only safeguard your own interests but also contribute to a healthier and more transparent professional ecosystem. Be empowered, be informed, and build the career you deserve. 

References:

1. Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation – Media Centre
2. Federal Decree-Law no. 33 of 2021