Private sector workers in the UAE get the official public holidays with full pay. Sometimes an employer needs you to work on one. Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 says what you are owed.
The rule
For each public holiday you work, your employer must either:
- give you another day off in its place, or
- pay you the wage for that day plus at least 50% of your basic wage for that day.
The extra 50% is worked out on basic salary, not your total package. Your contract can give more.
Example
Basic salary AED 6,000 and total salary AED 9,000. A day's total wage is AED 300 and a day's basic is AED 200. If you are paid instead of getting a day off, the pay for that holiday is AED 300 + 50% of AED 200 = AED 400.
Holidays during annual leave
A public holiday that falls during your annual leave is not taken out of your leave balance, so your leave is extended by that day.
Overtime on a holiday
Hours beyond your normal working day are overtime. Overtime is paid at at least 125% of basic hourly pay, or 150% between 10 pm and 4 am. Use the UAE overtime calculator for these hours.
If you are not paid
Keep a record of the dates you worked. Ask HR in writing first, then raise it with MOHRE if needed. Our MOHRE complaint guide explains how.
To find your daily and hourly basic pay, use the UAE salary breakdown calculator. For working hours and Ramadan rules, read UAE working hours explained.
Sources
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations
- Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (Executive Regulations)
- Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 (amendments, in force 31 August 2024)
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
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