working hours

Pursuant to the Federal Law of the United Arab Emirates No. 8 of 1980

Each and every employee must be aware of their exact work hours and this knowledge must be in accordance with the provisions of the law that governs the employee, knowing the law will help the employee to be more productive as they work. in a suitable environment that supports him to be more successful and that increases his desire to work since the employee will be in full force.

Some employers are taking advantage of employees who are not fully aware of the law by adding extra hours to the original ones without paying them overtime and…etc. our mission here is to help employees understand their rights.

We will present some questions that will help the employee to understand everything related.

Q No. (1) What is the maximum daily working hours?

The daily maximum is eight hours and 48 hours per week in some circumstances it can be 9 hours. The change may be made by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, as established in article 65: “The maximum normality for workers of legal age will be eight hours a day, 48 hours a week. They may be increased to nine hours per day in commercial establishments, hotels, cafeterias, security services and those other businesses that are added by resolution of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for arduous or dangerous work for health. Two during the month of Ramadan will reduce the normal working day. The periods that a worker spends commuting between his home and the workplace will not be included in his working day.

Q No. (2): What is the regulation of working hours?

The employee may not work for more than five successive hours, there must be a break to rest, pray and that break will not exceed one hour. However, there is an exception mentioned in Article No. 66 for night shift employees that establishes that: “The daily work schedule will be regulated in such a way that no worker works for more than five successive hours without rest – for rest , meals and prayer”. – that add together not less than an hour. Such breaks will not be included as part of working hours.

However, in factories and workshops where work is organized in successive day and night shifts, and in processes where work must continue uninterrupted for technical and economic reasons, the manner in which rest breaks, meal breaks are granted and the sentence will be specified in a resolution of the Minister”.

Q No. (3) Can daily working hours be changed?

Yes, the working day may be modified according to the needs of the work and overtime will be considered “overtime” and will be paid by the employer to the workers in accordance with the percentage mentioned in Article No. 67 which establishes: ” When the circumstances of the work require the worker to work more hours than normal, all the time worked in excess will be considered as overtime, for which the worker will receive the salary stipulated for his normal work day, plus a supplement of at least least 25 percent of that salary.

Q No. (4) What is overtime and does it make a difference if it was day or night?

Extraordinary Hours are the extra hours that the worker spends in the establishment of his work after exceeding his daily working hours.

If the worker remains outside of his working hours between 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., he will be entitled to the percentage mentioned in Article No. 68 that says: “When work circumstances require the worker to perform overtime between 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., shall be entitled, with respect to said overtime, to the salary stipulated for his normal hours of work, plus a supplement of at least 50 percent of that salary.”

Q No. (5) What is the maximum overtime?

Overtime may not exceed two hours. However, if the work needs urgently requires more than two hours, it may be acceptable. As established in Article No. 69: “The number of effective overtime hours may not exceed two per day, unless said work is essential to prevent a substantial loss or a serious accident, or to eliminate or alleviate the impact of the latter.” “.

Q No. (6) When is the weekly rest day?

The weekly rest day is Friday as established in Article No. 70: “Friday will be the normal weekly rest day for all workers except the paid day. When a worker must be put on duty that day, he will be compensated with a substitute day of rest or will be paid his base salary for his normal hours of work plus a supplement of at least 50 percent of that salary.”

Q No. (7) Is the normal employee required to work without the weekly rest day?

Only the day laborer will be obliged to work more than two consecutive Fridays, as established in Article No. 71: “No worker who is not a day laborer will be obliged to work more than two consecutive Fridays.”

Q No. (8) Are these provisions waived for all categories of workers?

The provisions established in Article No. 72 are excepted from the foregoing: “The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following categories: 1. Persons who hold senior management or supervisory executive positions, if such positions confer on the holders powers of an employer over workers. The categories in question will be specified by resolution of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

2. The crew of marine vessels and sailors who provide services under special conditions of service due to the nature of their work, with the exception of port workers who are dedicated to stewardship and related operations”.

Q No. (9) Should employees’ working hours be posted to everyone?

Yes, since the employer must announce the daily work schedule for all work categories, as well as the weekly rest day so that they are known to all in the manner established by law, as established in article 73: “The The employer shall post at the main entrances used by workers, and in a conspicuous place in the workplace, a schedule showing the weekly day off, hours of work, and rest periods applicable to all classes of workers.

When the statutory weekly rest day is not respected in the workplace, the employer must establish a schedule indicating the weekly rest day for each class of workers in the places referred to in the preceding paragraph.