Know what you are signing. Understand what you are entitled to. Protect your position before a dispute arises.
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, unlimited contracts have been abolished in the UAE. Only fixed-term contracts are permitted, and all contracts must be electronically registered with the Ministry of Human Resources. A single ambiguous clause in your salary structure, termination provisions, or non-compete can cost you months of your entitlements.
Most employment contracts in the UAE are drafted in English, but legal proceedings are conducted in Arabic. In the event of a conflict between both versions, the Arabic text may take precedence. Always review both language versions before signing.
| Clause | Risk |
|---|---|
| Excessive non-compete clause | May not be enforced if it exceeds 2 years or is disproportionate in scope |
| All-inclusive salary replacing basic | Reduces the calculation base for end of service gratuity |
| Gratuity waiver clause | Void under UAE law β courts will not enforce clauses that extinguish statutory rights |
| Probation period exceeding 6 months | Explicitly void under the Federal Decree-Law |
| Foreign governing jurisdiction | May complicate your UAE claims if not properly understood upfront |
| Rule | Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard working hours | 8 hours/day Β· 48 hours/week |
| Ramadan (for Muslim employees) | 6 hours/day Β· 36 hours/week |
| Standard overtime rate | 25% addition to hourly rate |
| Night work or work on rest days | 50% addition to hourly rate |
β If any of these apply to your situation, contact us β you may have a valid claim even if you are still employed.
A contract review is far less costly than a dispute. First consultation is completely free.