UAE: Guidelines for Employee Breaks During Work Hours

Maryam Pervez -

Question: What are the rules in the UAE regarding employee breaks during work hours? My colleagues and I work for a mainland UAE company, and our boss expects us to utilize the full 9.5 hours of the workday productively. We are told not to take breaks. Could you clarify what the law says?

Answer: According to UAE labor laws, employees are entitled to breaks during work hours, with the total break time amounting to at least one hour per day.

Under Article 18 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employees cannot work for more than five consecutive hours without a break. The law specifies:

"Employees must have one or more breaks, amounting in total to not less than one hour, which cannot be included as part of the working hours. Breaks and working hours should be scheduled based on shifts or specific job categories as defined in the Executive Regulations of this law."

Maximum Working Hours:

The law also limits working hours to a maximum of eight hours per day or 48 hours per week, as per Article 17(1) of the Employment Law. Any additional hours must be compensated as overtime.

Employers cannot compel employees to work beyond these hours without proper compensation, as doing so could constitute forced labor. According to Article 14(1) of the law:

"Employers cannot coerce or threaten employees to perform work or provide services against their will."

Key Takeaways for Employees:

  1. Break Entitlement: You are entitled to breaks totaling one hour per day, which can be divided into multiple intervals.
  2. Maximum Hours: You cannot be required to work more than eight hours daily or 48 hours weekly without overtime pay.
  3. Compliance: Employers must adhere to these regulations to ensure employee well-being and productivity.

If your employer insists on breaching these regulations, you may escalate the matter by filing a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This ensures your rights under UAE employment law are protected.

News Source: Khaleej Times