Employee rights in the UAE, at a glance

Last reviewed 29 Jun 2026 · maintained by Scooped

Contracts, leave, and end-of-service — the basics, governed by MoHRE.

Contracts & the law

Private-sector employment is governed by UAE labour law and administered by the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE). You should have a registered contract setting out role, pay, and term. Free zones (e.g. DIFC, ADGM) may apply their own employment regimes.

Leave & entitlements

Employees are entitled to annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave under the law, plus an end-of-service gratuity calculated on length of service. The exact formulas and conditions are set by MoHRE — confirm the current rules for your contract type.

If something goes wrong

MoHRE provides channels for complaints and wage protection. Keep your contract, payslips, and written records; raise issues through MoHRE's official channels.

Sources

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Overview, not legal advice. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a UAE-qualified professional and the original source. Specifics (rates, deadlines, fees) change — confirm against the named authority.

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