The Labour Law is federal and applicable to all the seven emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE, such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone. The Labour Law applies to all staff and employees working in the UAE.

Administered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Labour Law is based on the International Labour Organization's model. It is a comprehensive law that is protective of employees.

Trade unions do not exist. Strikes and lock-outs are forbidden.

The Ministry issues a model employment contract in Arabic, which is widely used, but other contracts are acceptable if they comply with the Labour Law. Employment contracts for UAE nationals can be verbal. A labour permit for an expatriate employee is issued after a formal written labour contract is filed with the Ministry.

Minimum Wage: Not mandated

Workweek: 48 hours, 8 hours a day, up to 10 hours a day including overtime.

Overtime: Day: basic rate of pay plus 25%
Night: basic rate plus 50%
Friday and public holidays: basic rate plus 50% or time in lieu of. Employees may not be asked to work two consecutive Fridays.

Minimum age for employment:  15 with guardian consent

Probationary period:Up to 6 months

Mandatory vacation: 6 months service, 7 days
One or more years, 30 days

What's special about the labour law:Employers must repatriate, at their expense, foreign workers at the end of the contract.