UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) gives UAE employees specific, legally enforceable rights regardless of their nationality, contract type, or employer. Here are the key rights every UAE employee should know.
Core UAE Employee Rights
Right to written employment contract: Every UAE employee must receive a written contract in a language they understand (Arabic or English). The contract must include: job title, salary, working hours, leave entitlement, and notice period. Right to minimum annual leave: 30 calendar days per year after 12 months of service. During the first year: accrues at 2.5 days/month. Leave cannot be forfeited — unused leave must be paid out at termination. Right to sick leave: After probation period: 15 days fully paid sick leave, 30 days at half pay, and 30 days unpaid per year. Right to maternity/paternity leave: Maternity: 60 calendar days (45 fully paid + 15 half paid). Paternity: 5 working days for male employees (within the first 6 months after birth). Right to end-of-service gratuity: After 1+ year of service, employees are entitled to end-of-service gratuity on termination — whether they resign, are terminated without cause, or finish a fixed-term contract. Calculated as 21 days’ basic salary per year for years 1–5, and 30 days’ basic salary per year thereafter. Right to work certificate: Upon end of employment, you have the right to a work experience certificate stating your job title and employment duration.
Rights That Are WAIVED if You Sign a Contradictory Contract
Important: UAE Labour Law minimum rights cannot be contracted out — even if you sign a contract that provides LESS than the statutory minimum, the law gives you the minimum regardless. Any clause waiving UAE Labour Law rights is void and unenforceable.