UAE MOHRE Labor Law Compliance
Navigate Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 with confidence. Manage employment contracts, working hours, leave entitlements, and anti-discrimination provisions in full compliance with MOHRE regulations.
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Labor Law Compliance Dashboard
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Key Employment Terms Under UAE Labor Law
Key Employment Terms Under UAE Labor Law
| Provision | Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Type | Limited-term (max 3 years) | Renewable; unlimited contracts phased out by Feb 2023 |
| Probation Period | Maximum 6 months | 14-day notice required during probation |
| Working Hours | 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week | 6 hours/day during Ramadan; reduced for hazardous work |
| Overtime | 125% for normal, 150% for night/holidays | Max 2 overtime hours/day; 144 hours/3 weeks cumulative cap |
| Annual Leave | 30 days after 1 year | 2 days/month during first year of service |
| Notice Period | 30-90 days per contract | Minimum 30 days; maximum 90 days as agreed |
| Minimum Wage | No statutory minimum (sector-specific) | Must cover basic needs; MOHRE reviews adequacy |
Key Compliance Deadlines
Key Compliance Deadlines
| Obligation | Deadline | Responsible Party | Non-Compliance Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment contract registration | Within 14 days of hiring | Employer | Work permit refusal |
| WPS salary payment | Within 15 days of salary due date | Employer | Fines + work permit suspension |
| End-of-service settlement | Within 14 days of last working day | Employer | MOHRE complaint + court interest |
| Contract renewal before expiry | 30 days before contract end date | Employer | Auto-termination of employment relationship |
| Work injury report | Within 48 hours of incident | Employer | AED 10,000+ fine + criminal liability |
| Midday outdoor work ban | June 15 - September 15 (12:30-3:00 PM) | Employer | AED 5,000 per worker found working |
Understanding UAE MOHRE Labor Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Overview
Effective February 2, 2022, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 replaced the previous UAE Labour Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1980). The new law modernized employment regulations to align with global best practices, introducing flexible work arrangements, stronger anti-discrimination provisions, and standardized contract types. It applies to all private sector establishments in the UAE mainland (free zones may have additional regulations).
Employment Contracts Under the New Law
All employment contracts must now be limited-term (fixed-term) with a maximum duration of three years, renewable for similar or shorter periods. The unlimited contract type was abolished, and existing unlimited contracts were required to be converted by February 2, 2023. Contracts must be in writing and registered with MOHRE. The law recognizes full-time, part-time, temporary, and flexible work arrangements.
Working Hours, Overtime, and Rest
Standard working hours are 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week, reduced to 6 hours per day during Ramadan. Overtime is paid at 125% of the normal hourly rate for daytime and 150% for nighttime (10 PM - 4 AM) or public holidays. The law caps overtime at 2 hours per day. Employees are entitled to at least one rest day per week (typically Friday) and must receive a break after every 5 consecutive working hours.
Anti-Discrimination and Equal Pay
The law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, social origin, or disability. It mandates equal pay for work of equal value between men and women. Employers must not use forced labor, and all forms of workplace harassment, bullying, and violence are prohibited. Violations carry fines ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 1,000,000.
Labor Law Compliance Process with Kiework
Contract Management
Create MOHRE-compliant employment contracts with all mandatory clauses, register them electronically, and track renewal dates.
Pre-built contract templates compliant with Decree-Law 33/2021, automatic renewal reminders, and digital signature integration.
Working Hours & Overtime Tracking
Monitor daily/weekly working hours, calculate overtime at correct rates, and ensure compliance with maximum hour limits.
Real-time attendance tracking with automatic overtime calculation at 125%/150% rates and cap enforcement alerts.
Leave Administration
Manage annual leave (30 days), sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, and other statutory entitlements per UAE law.
Automated leave accrual, balance tracking, carry-forward rules, and leave encashment calculations.
Compliance Monitoring & Reporting
Track all labor law obligations, generate audit-ready reports, and ensure ongoing compliance across the organization.
Centralized compliance dashboard with automated alerts for contract renewals, midday work bans, and MOHRE filing deadlines.
MOHRE Labor Law FAQ
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Automate MOHRE Labor Law Compliance
Stop managing MOHRE Labor Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) manually. Kiework automates calculations, filing deadlines, and compliance validation — so you never miss a deadline.