UAE issues overtime warning: Workers entitled to compensation
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has listed conditions for overtime work during Ramadan, according to the Regulation of Labour Relations Law.
In a Twitter post, MoHRE said that “overtime conditions during Ramadan are similar to those applied throughout the year.”
Overtime conditions during #Ramadan are similar to those applied throughout the year. Swipe to view these conditions according to the Regulation of Labour Relations Law. #UAE #MoHRE pic.twitter.com/hotKx5xqAB
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتوطين (@MOHRE_UAE) April 17, 2023
Working overtime in the UAE
The authority said that an employer may request to work two hours of overtime per day maximum, however, they would be entitled to a compensation based on the law.
“Work required to prevent a massive loss, a serious accident, or the removal or mitigation of an accident is exempt from the maximum overtime hours,” MoHRE said, adding that “in all cases, the total number of working hours shall not exceed 144 in 3 weeks.”
In January, the MoHRE had clarified overtime rules under new labour regulations.
The authority said that employers can ask employees to work overtime, as per the Labour Relations Law and its regulations – however, there are a few conditions on which employers must comply with.
- Establishments can ask their employees to work overtime as long as it does not exceed two hours a day.
- Overtime work can exceed two hours per day, only if the work is necessary to prevent “any loss or incidents or to eliminate or mitigate its effect”.
- The total number of working hours must not exceed 144 hours, every three weeks.
The UAE MoHRE also explained daily and weekly working hours early, which includes regulations and work break. These are as follows:
- Regular working hours are eight hours per day, or 48 hours per week.
- Commuting time from and to the workplace is excluded from these working hours, except in certain cases and within controls specified in the implementing regulations.
- Working hours are specified in the employment contract for non full-time work patterns.
- Working hours shall not exceed five consecutive hours, without a minimum one-hour break.
