UAE Law and Practice Contributed by: Amir Alkhaja, Gerry Rogers, Daria Selivanova and Danila Kriuchkov, Habib Al Mulla & Partners
Attestation and Copies Employees must receive a copy of their MOHRE- registered contract. Employers may provide a more detailed internal offer letter or policy man -
weekly total still doesn’t exceed 48). Exemptions include: • hazardous or strenuous work – Ministries can set shorter daily limits (such as seven hours in extreme heat or outdoor conditions); • Ramadan – Muslim employees work two hours less daily (typically six hours); • overtime gradient – overtime is capped at two hours/day (total working hours may not exceed ten hours per day or 144 hours every three weeks); and • shift workers and managerial roles – night overtime premiums do not apply to shift workers, managers or technical staff under continuous operations. 4.4 Termination of Employment Contracts Termination of individual employment in the UAE is not “at-will”; it is governed by rules aiming for fairness and clarity. All employment (now on fixed-term contracts) can be terminated by either employer or employee for legitimate rea - sons with notice, or immediately for cause in certain cases. Firing someone without a valid reason, or failing to give required notice, is considered wrongful. The concept of “at-will” (ability to terminate with - out cause) does not legally exist; though in prac - tice if an employer is willing to pay the relevant compensation (notice, gratuity, and up to three months’ pay as arbitrary dismissal compensa - tion) they can end the relationship – the main risk is the arbitrary dismissal claim. The law equal - ised the ability to terminate fixed-term contracts with notice, so effectively all contracts are similar to at-will with cause and notice needed.
ual, but the official contract governs. Sector Rules and Collective Terms
There are no collective wage agreements. Each contract is individually agreed, but must meet legal standards. Some industries (eg, construc - tion) use standard templates and follow public regulations (eg, midday break for outdoor work). Government Involvement in Hiring Employment contracts are tied to the work per - mit process. Steps: • employer applies for quota or pre-approval; • contract is issued and signed; and • MOHRE approves and finalises the work permit and visa. Private employment without MOHRE approval is not valid. 4.3 Working Time The UAE Labour Law regulates working hours to protect employees from excessive work. Nor - mal working time for private sector employees is eight hours per day or 48 hours per week. A common arrangement is eight hours a day over six days, with Friday (the traditional holy day) as one day off. Many offices have shifted to a five- day work week (Monday to Friday, following a 2022 weekend change), working around 40 to 45 hours weekly. The statutory maximum is eight hours (or nine hours in certain commercial establishments like hotels or retail by Cabinet decision, provided the
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