“How many hours can my employer make me work?” is one of the most common questions employees and HR teams in the UAE ask. The answer sits in the private-sector labour law, and it is more specific than most people expect: a daily limit, a weekly limit, a break rule, a lower limit in Ramadan and a cap on extra hours.
This guide sets out the rules in plain language, based on Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (the UAE Labour Law), its Executive Regulations (Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022) and the official UAE Government portal u.ae. Where we could not confirm a detail against an official page this session, we say so and mark it “verify with MOHRE”.
Published: 1 November 2026
Quick Answer
Private-sector employees in the UAE normally work a maximum of 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. An employee who works 5 consecutive hours is entitled to a break, or breaks, of at least 1 hour in total, and break time is not counted as working time. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours every day. Extra hours beyond normal hours are overtime, which is limited to 2 hours a day and paid at a premium. If an employer breaks these limits, the employee can raise the issue with HR and then file a complaint with MOHRE.
The Normal Limit: 8 Hours a Day or 48 Hours a Week
Direct answer: under Article 17 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, normal working hours in the private sector are 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week.
This is the standard that applies unless a specific rule says otherwise. Three points are worth knowing:
- The limit is either daily or weekly. Many employers use a 5-day week of 8 hours (40 hours) and others use a 6-day week of 8 hours (48 hours). Both fit within the limit.
- The law allows the Executive Regulations to increase or reduce daily hours for certain economic sectors or categories of workers. If you work in a sector with special rules, your hours may differ from the standard (verify with MOHRE for your sector).
- Time spent travelling from home to the workplace is not counted as working hours, except for certain categories of workers set out in the Executive Regulations.
Your contract should state your working hours. If it says more than the legal limit without the overtime rules being followed, the contract term does not override the law.
The Rest Break Rule
Direct answer: an employee who works 5 consecutive hours is entitled to one or more breaks totalling not less than 1 hour, and the break is not counted as working time.
In practice this means an employer cannot require you to work a long stretch without a pause. A common arrangement is a one-hour lunch break in the middle of an 8-hour shift. Because breaks are not counted as working hours, an employee at work from 8 am to 6 pm with a one-hour break has worked 9 hours, not 10. Check how your employer counts time, as the daily limit applies to hours worked.
Weekly Rest Day
The labour law also gives employees a weekly rest day. The contract or the company’s work regulations set which day it is. If an employee is required to work on their rest day, the u.ae portal states they are entitled to either a substitute rest day or pay equal to normal hourly remuneration (based on basic salary) plus 50 per cent. For how this works on public holidays, see our guide to UAE public holidays 2026 and overtime pay rules.
The exact number of rest days a week depends on the contract and sector. Verify with MOHRE if your situation is unusual.
Ramadan Working Hours
Direct answer: working hours are reduced by 2 hours every day during the holy month of Ramadan.
The u.ae portal confirms the 2-hour daily reduction. Points to know:
- The reduction is stated as applying to private-sector workers, and several public guides report it applies regardless of whether the employee fasts. The source for this is the Executive Regulations (reported as Article 15). Verify the article reference with MOHRE before quoting it formally.
- An 8-hour day therefore becomes 6 hours. Guides commonly report the weekly limit as 36 hours instead of 48 during Ramadan. Verify with MOHRE for your sector.
- The reduction is a reduction of hours, not of pay. The employee’s salary is not reduced because normal hours are shorter.
- Free zones such as DIFC and ADGM have their own employment regimes. One source we saw reports that the reduction in DIFC applies to Muslim employees only. We could not confirm this against an official source this session, so verify with the relevant free zone authority if you work there.
If your employer asks you to work the full day in Ramadan, the extra 2 hours are treated as extra working time and the overtime rules apply.
Who Is Excluded or Treated Differently
The labour law does not cover every worker in the UAE. Categories that are generally outside the private-sector law include government employees on government terms, domestic workers (covered by a separate domestic worker law) and certain other groups listed in the law. Free zones may have their own rules. Verify with MOHRE which law applies to your employment.
Within the private sector, some sectors and categories of workers can have different daily hours under the Executive Regulations. Public guides mention sectors such as hotels, restaurants and security services as examples of sectors with adjusted hours. Treat this as a general pointer only and verify with MOHRE for your exact sector and job.
Working Hours Versus Overtime
Working hours and overtime are related but separate. Working hours are the standard hours in your contract. Overtime is work beyond those hours.
The u.ae portal states that:
- The employer may ask the worker to work overtime, provided extra hours do not exceed 2 hours in one day.
- Overtime is paid at the normal hourly remuneration (based on basic salary) plus 25 per cent.
- This rises to plus 50 per cent if the overtime is done between 10 pm and 4 am.
- The 25 per cent rule does not apply to workers on shifts.
We keep the full overtime detail in our dedicated guide to overtime pay rules so that this page stays focused on the hours limits.
If you work for more than one employer, the u.ae portal states that neither employer may require you to work more than the hours agreed in your employment contract, unless you agree in writing. If you ask to work remotely, the employer must stipulate specific working hours.
Summer Midday Break Is a Different Rule
Do not confuse working hours with the summer midday break. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, work directly under the sun and in open places is not allowed between 12.30 pm and 3 pm from 15 June to 15 September each year. This applies to outdoor work. It does not change the 8-hour daily limit for office staff. See our guide to the UAE midday break and employer fines.
Summary Table of the Main Limits
| Topic | Rule | Source / status |
|---|---|---|
| Normal hours | 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week | Article 17, Decree-Law 33/2021, u.ae |
| Rest break | Break(s) of at least 1 hour after 5 consecutive hours; not counted as working time | u.ae |
| Ramadan | Hours reduced by 2 hours every day | u.ae; article reference: verify with MOHRE |
| Overtime limit | Not more than 2 extra hours in one day | u.ae |
| Overtime pay | Normal hourly pay plus 25 per cent; plus 50 per cent from 10 pm to 4 am | u.ae |
| Work on rest day | Substitute rest day, or pay plus 50 per cent | u.ae |
| Midday break | No outdoor work 12.30 pm to 3 pm, 15 June to 15 September | Ministerial Resolution 44 of 2022 |
| Sector-specific hours | Can differ under Executive Regulations | Verify with MOHRE |
What You Can Do If Your Employer Exceeds the Limit
If you are regularly asked to work beyond the legal limit, or you are not getting breaks or your Ramadan reduction, take these steps in order.
- Check your contract and payslips. Confirm the hours stated and whether overtime is being paid. Keep copies.
- Keep a simple record. Note the dates, start and finish times, breaks taken and who asked you to stay. Save emails and messages that show instructions about hours.
- Raise it with HR or your manager in writing. A short, polite email stating the rule and asking for correction often resolves the issue and creates a record.
- Request an amicable settlement through MOHRE. If it is not resolved, you can file a complaint through MOHRE. MOHRE first tries to settle the dispute between you and the employer.
- Escalate if needed. If an amicable settlement fails, the dispute can be referred onward under the labour dispute process.
For the full complaint process, MOHRE contact channels and what documents to prepare, read our guide to filing a MOHRE labour complaint. The MOHRE call centre number is 600590000, and complaints can also be filed through the MOHRE app (verify the current channels on the MOHRE website before you file).
Do not resign or stop work before taking advice. Leaving a job has consequences for notice periods, gratuity and your visa. Read our guides on employment contract rules, probation and termination and resignation, notice period and gratuity first.
For Employers and HR Teams
HR teams should check that:
- Contracts state working hours that fit within 8 per day or 48 per week.
- Breaks are scheduled so no employee works 5 consecutive hours without one.
- A Ramadan schedule is issued every year that reduces daily hours by 2 hours.
- Overtime is approved, limited to 2 hours a day and paid correctly.
- Time records are kept, so you can show compliance if a complaint is filed.
Records matter. If an employee files a complaint, the employer is usually asked to show the hours actually worked.
Related Guides
- UAE public holidays 2026 and overtime pay rules
- UAE midday break 2026 and employer fines
- How to file a MOHRE labour complaint
- UAE annual leave rules 2026
- UAE employment contract rules: probation, notice and termination
- UAE salary deductions 2026: the 50 per cent cap
- UAE tax and accounting insight from Qaspro Global
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the normal working hours in the UAE?
Private-sector employees normally work a maximum of 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week under Article 17 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
How many hours is the working week in the UAE?
The weekly limit is 48 hours. Many employers use a 5-day week of 40 hours, which is within the limit.
Do I get a break during the working day?
Yes. An employee who works 5 consecutive hours is entitled to one or more breaks totalling at least 1 hour. Break time is not counted as working hours.
How much are working hours reduced in Ramadan?
By 2 hours every day during the holy month of Ramadan, according to the u.ae portal. An 8-hour day becomes 6 hours, and pay is not reduced.
Does the Ramadan reduction apply to non-Muslims?
Public guides report it applies to private-sector workers regardless of religion or fasting. Free zones such as DIFC may have their own rules, so verify with the relevant authority.
How many overtime hours can my employer ask for?
Not more than 2 extra hours in one day, according to the u.ae portal. Overtime is paid at normal hourly pay plus 25 per cent, or plus 50 per cent from 10 pm to 4 am.
Can my employer make me work on my weekly rest day?
If circumstances require it, you are entitled to a substitute rest day or pay equal to normal hourly pay plus 50 per cent, per the u.ae portal.
Are there any workers who have different hours?
Yes. The Executive Regulations allow daily hours to be increased or reduced for certain sectors and worker categories, and some groups are outside the private-sector law. Verify with MOHRE for your case.
Is the summer midday break the same as the rest break?
No. The midday break bans outdoor work from 12.30 pm to 3 pm between 15 June and 15 September. The rest break is a pause during the working day.
Where do I complain if my employer breaks the working hours rules?
Start with HR in writing, then file a complaint with MOHRE through its call centre (600590000) or the MOHRE app. Verify current channels on the MOHRE website.
Need Help With a Labour or PRO Issue?
If you are unsure which rules apply to you or need support with documents, contact Yalah on WhatsApp at wa.me/971525802100. Business owners who want clearer daily numbers may also like how Qaspro Global explains the 2-minute owner dashboard.
This guide is general information based on published UAE Government sources. It is not legal advice. Verify specific points with MOHRE before relying on them.