Instantly calculate overtime pay under UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021). Handles regular, night-shift, and Friday/holiday overtime.
UAE overtime is paid at 125% of your normal hourly rate, rising to 150% for work between 10pm and 4am or on a Friday or public holiday. The hourly rate is monthly basic salary ÷ 240, and overtime is capped at 2 hours per day (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Art. 17–19).
Overtime in the UAE is regulated by Articles 17 to 19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which took effect on 2 February 2022. The key rules every employer and HR team must know:
| Type | Hours per day | Hours per week |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (non-Ramadan) | 8 hours | 48 hours |
| Ramadan (Muslim employees) | 6 hours | 36 hours |
| Hazardous or arduous work | 7 hours | Per sector regulation |
| Type of overtime | Rate | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Regular overtime | 125% of hourly rate | Hours beyond standard working hours |
| Night overtime | 150% of hourly rate | Work between 10 pm and 4 am |
| Friday overtime | 150% of hourly rate | Work on Friday (the UAE rest day) |
| Public holiday overtime | 150% of hourly rate | Work on an official UAE public holiday |
The standard method:
Example: AED 6,000 monthly basic → hourly rate = AED 6,000 ÷ 240 = AED 25/hour
Regular overtime = AED 25 × 1.25 = AED 31.25/hour
Night/Friday overtime = AED 25 × 1.50 = AED 37.50/hour
Employees cannot be required to work more than 2 overtime hours per day in normal circumstances. Total working time (including overtime) must not exceed 10 hours per day, except where the nature of the business requires it with MOHRE approval.
Regular overtime is paid at 125% of the normal hourly rate. Overtime worked between 10pm and 4am, or on a Friday or public holiday, is paid at 150% (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Articles 17–19).
Divide the monthly basic salary by 30 (days) and then by 8 (hours), i.e. monthly basic ÷ 240, to get the basic hourly rate. Overtime is then 125% or 150% of that rate. Example: AED 6,000 basic ÷ 240 = AED 25/hour; regular overtime = AED 31.25/hour.
Overtime must not exceed 2 hours per day in normal circumstances. Total working time including overtime must not exceed 10 hours per day, except where the business requires it with MOHRE approval.
Yes. With the employee’s agreement, an employer may grant compensatory time off in lieu of overtime pay, equivalent to the overtime hours worked.
Most private-sector employees are entitled to overtime. Senior managers and supervisors with authority over other employees, and certain categories defined by MOHRE, may be excluded. Domestic workers are covered by a separate law.
Friday is the federal rest day, not Saturday. Whether Saturday hours are overtime depends on the contract: if it specifies a 5-day week and the employee works Saturday, those hours are overtime.
No. The overtime hourly rate is based on basic salary only, the same as gratuity. Housing, transport and other allowances are excluded.
Last reviewed 2026-06-30. Wurxa keeps these tools aligned with current UAE Labour Law and MOHRE guidance. For binding advice on a specific case, consult a licensed UAE labour-law professional.
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