Employment Law in Dubai is in fact called Labour Law, but has exactly the same function as Employment Law in England – i.e. it is the employee’s rights which take priority. So you probably know more about it than you think! Labour Law covers every aspect of employer and employee relations, (treatment at work, pay, hours of work, leave, benefits, holiday and termination of employment in UAE) and cannot be overridden by employment contracts.


In Dubai, a typical working day is 8 hours, with most businesses dividing these hours between two shifts: 8am and 1pm and 4pm and 7pm. However, during the Muslim festival of Ramadan working days are shortened by 2 hours. It would not be uncommon for some businesses to work a 48 hour week, though this will inevitably depend on the type of firm, where an average of 40-45 hours may be a more usual norm. That “Friday feeling” is certainly universal, since Friday’s are commonly a day off in Dubai, typically accompanied by either a Thursday afternoon or Saturday. Annual leave covers 21 days pay for the first five years, which doesn’t seem like much but does increase to a whopping 30 days after this to make up for it, in addition to 10 paid public holidays too!
 
Employment law in Dubai does not entertain Trade Unions, as in the UK, since these Unions aren’t in operation over there. This also means strikes and lockouts simply do not, and in fact cannot, occur.

What are the regulations governing entry and residence in Dubai?

Residents of Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain or the Sultanate of Oman, along with all British citizens, do not need visas to enter Dubai. However, if a British citizen wants to stay for longer than a month, they will have to apply for a visa thereafter. Visas can only be issued by the Naturalization & Residency Department and can only be obtained after supplying the correct form, payment, and required documents. Visas come in a variety of types according to the reason for the visit, for example: a Multiple Visit visa would be needed for those who travel there often; a Tourist or Transit visa for a one off visit, or if passing through; or a Personal Sponsorship visa where a person has received an invite by a person or establishment. It is also possible to be issued a visa at the airport, if the person has a forward booking. This is known as a 96 hour visa.