Every year lakhs of Indian workers travel to Dubai for jobs in construction, hospitality, retail, logistics and domestic work. Most of them sign a contract at the airport or in the company office without reading it fully. Later, when a salary is delayed or a leave request is refused, they do not know what the law actually says. This guide explains the basic labour rules that apply to private sector workers in Dubai in simple language.
The guide is written for a worker with a 10th or 12th standard education who wants to understand contracts, working hours, overtime, leave, gratuity and what to do when something goes wrong. It is not a legal textbook. It gives you the main points so that you can ask the right questions before you sign and protect yourself after you arrive.
Labour matters for mainland Dubai companies come under the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, usually called MOHRE. Rules are updated from time to time, so always confirm the current position with the official authority.
Who the Labour Law Covers
The UAE labour law applies to almost all private sector employees working on the mainland. This includes skilled and unskilled workers, office staff, drivers, technicians, sales staff and hotel workers. Domestic workers such as housemaids, cooks and family drivers are covered by a separate domestic workers law with its own rules on hours, rest and leave.
Free zone workers are governed by the rules of the free zone, which are mostly in line with the federal law. If you are not sure which rules apply to you, ask your employer which authority issued your work permit and keep a copy of it.
Understanding Your Employment Contract
In the UAE, all private sector contracts are now fixed term contracts. A contract can be for up to three years and can be renewed. The old idea of an unlimited contract has been phased out. Your contract must be registered with MOHRE, and the registered version is the one that counts in a dispute.
A standard contract should clearly state the following points:
- Your job title and a short description of duties
- Basic salary and allowances, shown separately
- Contract length and start date
- Working hours and weekly rest day
- Probation period, if any (maximum six months)
- Annual leave entitlement
- Notice period for ending the contract
Before you leave India, you should receive an offer letter in a language you understand. The contract you sign in Dubai must match that offer letter. If the salary, job title or duties are different from what you were promised, do not sign quietly. Raise it immediately with the employer and with the recruitment agent who arranged the job. Keep a copy of both the offer letter and the signed contract on your phone and with a family member at home.
Probation Rules You Should Know
A probation period cannot be longer than six months and cannot be extended. During probation the employer can end your contract with 14 days written notice. If you want to leave during probation to join another company in the UAE, you normally need to give one month notice. If you want to leave the UAE altogether during probation, 14 days notice is usually enough.
You still have rights during probation. You are entitled to salary on time, rest days and a safe workplace.
Working Hours, Breaks and Overtime
The normal working day in the private sector is 8 hours, which makes 48 hours a week. Many companies work five and a half or six days. During the holy month of Ramadan, working hours are reduced by two hours a day for all workers.
You cannot be asked to work more than five hours continuously without a break of at least one hour for rest, prayer and food. Break time is usually not counted as working time.
If you work beyond the normal hours, the extra hours count as overtime. The general rules are:
- Overtime during the day: basic hourly rate plus at least 25 percent
- Overtime between 10 pm and 4 am: basic hourly rate plus at least 50 percent (shift workers are an exception)
- Work on your weekly rest day: a substitute rest day or pay plus at least 50 percent
- Total overtime should not exceed two hours a day except in special cases
Overtime is calculated on basic salary, not on total salary. This is one reason why you should check how much of your pay is basic salary and how much is allowance.
Indicative Pay Bands by Trade
Dubai does not have a single minimum wage for all workers. Pay depends on the trade, the employer and your experience. The figures below are only indicative monthly ranges that Indian workers commonly see in job offers. Actual pay varies by employer, location and skill level, so confirm the exact salary breakdown in writing before you travel.
| Role | Indicative monthly pay (AED) | Rough INR equivalent | Usually included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction helper or labourer | AED 1,000 to 1,500 | ₹23,000 to ₹35,000 | Accommodation, transport, often food |
| Skilled mason, carpenter or steel fixer | AED 1,500 to 2,500 | ₹35,000 to ₹58,000 | Accommodation and transport |
| Light vehicle driver | AED 2,000 to 3,500 | ₹46,000 to ₹80,000 | Accommodation or allowance |
| AC or electrical technician | AED 2,000 to 3,500 | ₹46,000 to ₹80,000 | Accommodation and transport |
| Hotel or restaurant staff | AED 1,500 to 3,000 | ₹35,000 to ₹69,000 | Accommodation, food, sometimes tips |
The pay figures above for dubai labour law basics are indicative only. They reflect commonly reported ranges and vary by employer, city and experience, so confirm the exact offer in writing with the employer or check the first portal under Helpful Links.
Wages must be paid through the Wage Protection System, which sends your salary to a bank account or a salary card. Cash payment outside this system is a warning sign. Salary should be paid on the agreed date, and a delay of more than 15 days can be reported.
Leave Entitlements
After you complete one year of service you are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave. In your first year, after six months, you earn two days of leave for every month worked.
Other leave types include:
- Sick leave: up to 90 days a year after probation, with full pay for the first 15 days, half pay for the next 30 days and no pay for the remaining days
- Public holidays: paid days off on official UAE holidays
- Maternity leave: 60 days for female employees, partly at full pay and partly at half pay
Your employer must also give you a return air ticket to India when the contract ends, unless you are moving to another employer in the UAE.
End of Service Gratuity Explained
Gratuity is a lump sum paid when your employment ends. It is one of the most important benefits for a Gulf worker, and also the one most often reduced by employers who hope the worker will not check.
The basic rules are simple. You must complete at least one year of continuous service to qualify. For each of the first five years you receive 21 days of basic salary. For every year after the fifth, you receive 30 days of basic salary. The total cannot be more than two years of salary. Part years are paid in proportion.
Take an example. A worker with a basic salary of AED 1,500 who completes exactly three years would receive 21 days multiplied by three, which is 63 days of basic pay. The daily rate is AED 1,500 divided by 30, which is AED 50. So the gratuity is about AED 3,150, roughly ₹72,000. Unpaid leave days are not counted as service, and any loan or advance from the employer can be deducted.
Gratuity is calculated only on basic salary. Again, this is why a contract that shows a very low basic salary and high allowances is bad for the worker in the long run.
Ending the Contract and Changing Jobs
Either side can end the contract by giving written notice. The notice period is between 30 and 90 days as written in your contract. If you leave without giving notice, the employer can deduct pay for the notice period. If the employer sacks you without notice and without a valid reason, you can claim pay for the notice period plus compensation.
Workers can now move to a new employer after completing their contract or after serving the notice period, as long as the new employer completes the visa transfer process. A labour ban is no longer automatic in most cases, but there are conditions, so take advice from MOHRE before you resign.
Your passport belongs to you. An employer cannot keep your passport as a condition of employment. If a company insists on holding it, you can ask for it back in writing and complain if it is refused.
Scam Warning Signs Around Contracts and Fees
Many problems start before the worker leaves India. Watch out for these warning signs:
- An agent asks you to pay for the visa, medical test or Emirates ID. In the UAE, the employer must pay these costs. A genuine employer does not charge the worker.
- You are asked to pay a deposit for a uniform, safety shoes or a training course before any contract is signed.
- The offer letter has no company address, no trade licence number and a free email address.
- You are asked to share bank OTPs, card PINs or UPI details to confirm your identity.
- You are pressured to transfer money quickly to a personal UPI number or an individual bank account rather than a company account.
- The job title on the visa is different from the job you were promised, for example a cleaner visa for a promised driver job.
Use only recruitment agents registered with the Ministry of Labour and Employment in India. Ask for the employer name and check with the Indian Consulate if you have doubts. Keep copies of every receipt, message and contract. If you have already paid money and the job turns out to be fake, report it to your bank and the local police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer change my salary after I arrive in Dubai?
No. The salary in your registered MOHRE contract should match your offer letter. If the employer gives you a lower contract, you can refuse to sign and raise a complaint. Changes are only valid if both sides agree in writing.
Is there a minimum salary for Indian workers in Dubai?
The UAE does not fix a minimum wage. Pay is set by the contract. Indian authorities do set minimum referral wages for some categories when attesting contracts, so check with the recruitment agent what applies to your trade.
What happens if my salary is late for two months?
You can file a complaint with MOHRE through its helpline or app. Salary delays beyond the legal limit can lead to penalties for the company. Keep your salary card statements as proof.
Do I get gratuity if I resign before one year?
No. Gratuity needs a minimum of one year of continuous service. If you resign after one year, you receive gratuity for the full period worked based on the rules above.
Can I work for another company part time?
Only with a part time work permit issued through MOHRE and with the consent of your main employer. Working for someone else without a permit can lead to fines and cancellation of your visa.
Before You Sign
Read the contract slowly, even if someone is waiting. Check the basic salary, the allowances, the job title and the notice period. Compare it with the offer letter you received in India. Ask for a copy of the signed contract and keep it safe.
Knowing these basics will not solve every problem, but it will help you spot a bad contract early and speak with confidence if an issue comes up later. Most employers in Dubai follow the law, and a worker who understands the rules is far less likely to be cheated.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, visa or employment advice. Rules, fees, vacancies and pay change regularly, so confirm all details directly with the employer or the official authority before applying, paying any fee or travelling.