UAE labor law 2025: Break, Working Hours, and Employee Rights – Full Explanation
The UAE labor law has been one of the strong drivers for balance in the workplace, and changes arriving in 2025 raised this bar even higher. Having stronger focused than ever on working hours, compulsory breaks, and protection for employees, the latest changes mark an effort toward a balanced situation wherein worker welfare and employer interests are considered.
Whether you are a job seeker in the UAE or an employer managing your team, the knowledge of such regulations can make all the difference. In this guide, we take you through the latest provisions of the labor law, give some practical advice, and answer a few frequently asked questions to clarify what the 2025 law means for you.
What does UAE Labor Law say about breaks and working hours?
1. Standard Working Hours in the UAE
Under UAE labor law, it is stipulated that, in most industries, no employee shall work for more than 8 hours a day or 48 hours in a week. Workers doing hazardous jobs have reduced hours to protect health and safety.
But that is not all: flexible models of work have gained pace across the UAE, with options also available for those who would like to work from home or within flexible time structures.
2. Overtime Regulations
Of course, situations of overtime work do crop up, but here is the killer: it is legally binding upon employers to pay their workers overtime pay, and failure to do this constitutes a breach of the labor law and may be subject to astronomically high fines.
Workers who are made to work overtime need to be paid extra.
Any “compelled” labor other than contracted labor is “employment under duress,” which is absolutely prohibited.
Question:
My boss asks us to work continuously for 9.5 hours without a break. Is it legal?
No, UAE’s labour law prohibits the worker from doing a continuous job for more than five hours without rest whatever the designation or nature of work. An hour of rest should be compulsorily given.
In fact,
Employee Rights: The Must-Know Facts
Key Employee Protections
- Under Article 14, employees may not be compelled to work against their will.
- Employees have equal pay for equal work irrespective of gender so that no discrimination will take place at the workplace.
- Safety protections also address various industries with the view of securing workers’ rights regardless of their demography. Where your rights as an employee are compromised, the law gives you the right to act upon it, either directly or by filing a complaint.
Steps to Address Violations to UAE Labor Law
- Communicate: Try raising concerns directly with your employer.
- Lodge a Complaint: Still unresolved? Go to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for help.
Remember, the Ministry has put in place mechanisms that are specially adapted to ensure timely settlement of disputes at work.
Practical Tips for Job Seekers and Employers
For Employees:
- Understand Your Employment Contract:
Before putting your signature on that dotted line, read through the terms with care. Be particularly keen on the clauses related to working hours, breaks, and leave entitlements.
- Be Informed:
Know your rights and hence can assertively raise your voice for improving working conditions.
- Know When to Act:
In case of violations, never be in two minds to approach the MOHRE. A formal complaint may sound like a daunting task; that is what it takes to keep your rights intact.
For Employers
- Keep Updated on Labor Laws:
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Keep yourself updated about changes in employment law to stay out of trouble.
- Be Transparent:
Be clear about the staff schedule, rights, and responsibilities. Most disputes would be gone by keeping things as transparent as possible.
- Utilize Online Facilities:
Avail all the facilities and training courses shared by MOHRE, they keep your policy design consistent with updated employment law.
Update 2025- Latest Change in UAE labor law
Recently updated UAE labor laws shows the commitments of the nation to the new and advanced labour market and towards being inclusive, below mentioned are the highlights :
Improved dispute resolution systems enable complaints to be brought forward more quickly and resolved on fair merits. Also, there are increased possibilities for flexibility in work models: clearer guidelines that will ease the way to adopt hybrid or remote work setups. Anti-discrimination and equal pay became even stronger. These changes signal the growing effort necessary to keep equity among workforces and balance both employers’ and employees’ perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many hours can I work consecutively without taking any break in UAE?
According to Article 18 of UAE labor law, no employee shall work in excess of five consecutive hours without a rest period of not less than one hour.
Q2: Are breaks counted as working hours in UAE?
Nopes! Breaks are not counted in your working hours, so you’re on your own there.
Q3: Suppose my employer refuses me to give me breaks or extra money for overtime work?
First, you try to solve your problems. Whatever the case, you shall submit your complaint to MOHRE for further advice.
Q4: Does my employer have the right to ask me to do in excess of 48 weekly working hours without giving money?
Absolutely not! An employer is bound to pay extra for any extra hours worked beyond the 48-hour limit.
Q5: What is the policy on flexible working hours?
Flexible arrangements may be made in so far as agreed between both parties whose conditions are within the written employment contract.
Q6: Does an Employer Have to Provide Food Allowances during Breaks?
Necessarily. The question of meal provision is just limited to what was put in your employment contract.
Conclusion
Empower the Employees & Employer
The 2025 UAE Labor Law thus creates a very important milestone toward a just and effective workforce; keep yourself updated with your rights and responsibilities in order to stay ahead in your career or business.
This will help the employees understand the protection accorded by the law so you will not sell yourself short. As for the employers, it would give them the credibility to help make your organization thrive.
Let these updates be your guide in building a harmonious and lawfully appropriate workplace in 2025 and beyond!