Under Article 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, overtime in a UAE private-sector job is paid at your normal hourly pay, calculated on your basic wage, plus at least 25%. Overtime between 10 pm and 4 am earns at least 50% extra, except for shift workers. Work on your rest day earns a substitute rest day or the day's pay plus at least 50% of the basic wage. Overtime is normally limited to two hours a day. MoHRE handles unpaid overtime complaints.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for employees of private-sector companies in mainland UAE and non-financial free zones registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) who want to check their overtime pay. It follows Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (the Labour Law) and Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022.
DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws. Domestic workers are covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. If you are unsure which system applies, see our guide on mainland, free zone and domestic worker complaints.
Normal hours and overtime limits
- Normal hours. A maximum of 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week (Article 17(1)).
- Ramadan. Normal hours are reduced by two hours a day (Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, Article 15(2)).
- Breaks. After five consecutive hours you must get a break or breaks totalling at least one hour, which do not count as working hours (Article 18).
- Daily overtime limit. Overtime must not exceed two hours a day (Article 19(1)). The Resolution allows more only where the work is needed to prevent serious loss or a serious accident, or to remove or reduce its effects (Article 15(3)).
- Three-week cap. In all cases, "total working hours" must not exceed 144 every three weeks (Article 19(1); Resolution Article 15(3)). The official text says total working hours, not overtime hours. Ask MoHRE how this applies to your schedule.
- Rest days. You cannot be required to work more than two consecutive rest days, except day labourers (Article 19(5)).
How much is overtime paid?
| Type of extra work | Minimum pay under the Labour Law |
|---|---|
| Overtime beyond normal hours | Normal hourly pay based on basic wage, plus at least 25% (Article 19(2)) |
| Overtime between 10 pm and 4 am | Normal hourly pay based on basic wage, plus at least 50%; shift workers excluded (Article 19(3)) |
| Work on your rest day | Another rest day, or that day's pay plus at least 50% of the basic wage for the day (Article 19(4)) |
| Work on a public holiday | Another rest day for each day worked, or that day's pay plus at least 50% of the basic wage for the day (Article 28(2)) |
Basic or total salary? The Arabic text of Article 19 says overtime pay is "calculated according to the basic wage". Article 1 defines basic wage as the wage in your contract, without allowances or benefits in kind. Your contract or company policy can pay more, and more favourable terms prevail (Article 65).
Is there a set hourly formula? No. The Labour Law does not say how to turn a monthly basic wage into an hourly rate. Article 67 treats a month as 30 days for counting periods, and some people use it to find a daily rate. Check your contract or company policy for a formula. If none exists and you disagree with your employer's figure, ask MoHRE.
Who is excluded from the working-hours limits?
Article 20 leaves this to the Executive Regulations. Article 15(4) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 excludes these groups from the provisions on maximum working hours:
- chairs and members of boards of directors;
- people in supervisory posts that give them the employer's powers;
- crews of sea vessels and workers at sea with special service conditions;
- work that must run continuously in shifts, provided the average does not exceed 56 hours a week;
- preparatory or complementary work that must be done outside normal hours.
The Resolution refers to the maximum-hours rules. It does not expressly say whether these groups lose overtime pay, so check your contract and ask MoHRE if this affects you.
Worked example
Assume a basic wage of AED 4,500 a month and a housing allowance of AED 1,500. Overtime uses the basic wage only. This example uses a 30-day month (Article 67) and an 8-hour day. It is an illustration, not an official formula.
- Daily basic rate: AED 4,500 ÷ 30 = AED 150.
- Hourly basic rate: AED 150 ÷ 8 = AED 18.75.
- Ordinary overtime hour: AED 18.75 × 1.25 = AED 23.4375, about AED 23.44.
- Overtime hour between 10 pm and 4 am: AED 18.75 × 1.5 = AED 28.125, about AED 28.13.
- A month with 10 ordinary and 4 night overtime hours: (10 × AED 23.4375) + (4 × AED 28.125) = AED 234.38 + AED 112.50 = AED 346.88.
- One rest day worked, with no substitute day: AED 150 + (50% × AED 150) = AED 225 for that day. This uses the basic daily rate, as the UAE Government portal does; Article 19(4) ties only the 50% to the basic wage.
The divisor changes the result. Dividing a year's basic wage by 365 days and then by 8 hours gives about AED 18.49 an hour. Dividing the monthly basic wage by the hours actually scheduled, for example 208 hours for a 48-hour week, gives about AED 21.63. That is why checking your contract matters.
Step by step
- Find your basic wage. It is in your MoHRE contract and should appear on your payslip.
- Keep a daily log. Record start, end and break times, and note hours between 10 pm and 4 am.
- Check any written instruction. Save emails or rosters asking you to work late or on rest days.
- Calculate what you think is owed. Show your hourly rate, each rate used and the total.
- Raise it with HR in writing. Attach your log and calculation.
- Get free advice. MoHRE's Labour Claims and Advisory Centre is on 80084.
- Complain if unpaid. MoHRE's guidance refers to a complaint within 30 days of the breach. The unpaid salary action plan and our unpaid salary complaint checklist can help.
- Include it in your final settlement. Unpaid overtime is part of the dues payable within 14 days of the contract ending (Article 53). See our final settlement checklist.
Documents checklist
- Employment contract showing basic wage, allowances, hours and rest days
- Payslips and bank statements
- Your daily hours log and rosters
- Attendance or access-card records, if available
- Emails or messages instructing you to work overtime
- Company overtime policy or staff handbook
- Your written calculation
Common mistakes
- Using total salary without checking. The law bases overtime on basic wage, unless your contract gives more.
- Applying the night rate to ordinary night shifts. The 50% rate is for overtime between 10 pm and 4 am, and shift workers are excluded.
- Keeping no records. A contemporaneous log is far stronger than a later estimate.
- Assuming a job title removes overtime. The exclusion list is narrow; check whether your role truly has the employer's powers.
- Waiting until you leave. Raise unpaid overtime promptly; MoHRE refers to a 30-day complaint window.
- Rounding hours up. Claim the hours you can support.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Most overtime disputes start and often end at MoHRE. Advice may help if the amount is large, if the employer says you are a supervisor excluded from the hours rules, or if your case is referred to court. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is UAE overtime calculated on basic or gross salary?
On basic wage under Article 19, unless your contract or company policy gives you more.
What is the night overtime rate?
At least 50% on top of normal hourly pay for overtime between 10 pm and 4 am, except for shift workers.
How many overtime hours can I be asked to work?
Normally no more than two a day, and total working hours must not exceed 144 in three weeks.
What if I work on my day off?
You should get another rest day, or that day's pay plus at least 50% of the basic wage for the day.
Are managers exempt from overtime?
The Resolution excludes supervisors with the employer's powers from the maximum-hours rules; whether overtime pay applies should be checked with MoHRE.
Is there an official hourly rate formula?
No, the law does not set one, so check your contract and ask MoHRE if you disagree with the figure.
Can I claim unpaid overtime after I leave?
Yes, as part of your final dues, but complain promptly because MoHRE refers to 30 days from the breach.
Official sources
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (official Arabic text)
- UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 implementing the Labour Law (official Arabic text)
- UAE Government portal — Working hours and overtime
- MoHRE — Dear Worker: Know Your Rights
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.