UAE Labour Law: Two ways employers must compensate you for working on a public holiday.
Dubai: This coming Monday, June 15, will be observed as a public holiday for the Islamic New Year. If your employer requires you to work on this day, UAE Labour Law ensures you are compensated either with additional pay or an alternative day off.
Here’s what you need to know.
Are you entitled to extra pay for working on a public holiday?
Employees in the UAE private sector are protected under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which governs employment relations in the country. Article 28 specifically outlines entitlements related to public holidays.
Your compensation options
Under Article 28, employers must provide one of the following for each public holiday worked:
- Compensatory day off: A substitute rest day for each public holiday worked, granted in addition to your annual leave entitlement.
- Enhanced holiday pay: You receive your normal daily wage for the day worked, plus an additional premium of at least 50% of your basic salary. Your employment contract may provide for a higher rate.
In general, the employer decides which compensation option applies, but whichever is chosen must meet the minimum standards set under the law.
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 – Article 28
“The worker shall be entitled to official days off with full pay on public holidays, as defined by the Cabinet. If work requires the worker to work during any public holiday, the employer must compensate them with either another day off for each day worked, or pay the wage for that day plus at least 50% of the basic wage for that day.”
In simple terms:
You cannot be required to work on a public holiday without fair compensation. The law provides employers with two lawful ways to fulfil this obligation.
What if you are not properly compensated?
If you were required to work during Eid or a public holiday but did not receive either a substitute day off or the legally required additional pay, you should first raise the issue with your employer.
If the matter remains unresolved, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), which oversees private sector labour disputes in the UAE.
MoHRE will then review your complaint and attempt to mediate between you and your employer to resolve the issue.
