Your Ultimate Guide to Employee Leave in the UAE’s Private Sector (2025): Know Your Rights Under the New Labour Law

If you’re employed in the private sector in the UAE, understanding your legal rights-especially concerning annual, official, and special leaves-is essential. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has clarified the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its Executive Regulations, which govern employment relationships in the country. These regulations ensure a fair balance between employee well-being and workplace productivity.

Weekly Paid Rest Days

Under the UAE Labour Law, every worker is entitled to at least one paid weekly day off, as specified in their employment contract or company policies. The Cabinet may decide to increase the number of weekly rest days in the future.

Annual Paid Leave

Employees are entitled to fully paid annual leave based on their length of service:

30 days per year for employees who have completed one year of service.

2 days per month if the service period exceeds 6 months but is less than a year.

Pro-rata leave for partial service in the final year if the employee resigns or is terminated before using their full annual leave entitlement.

Part-time Employees: Those working on a part-time basis are granted annual leave based on actual working hours, converted into equivalent workdays-at a minimum of 5 paid leave days per year.

Employers may allow employees to use part of their annual leave during the probation period, and if the employee does not pass probation, they retain the right to financial compensation for unused leave.

Scheduling and Leave Management

Employees have the right to take their annual leave during the year it is due. However, employers can determine leave dates based on operational requirements. Workers must be notified of their leave at least 30 days in advance.

Employees may carry forward unused leave to the following year with the employer’s approval. If leave is not used, the worker is entitled to full pay for the unused days.

Public Holidays Don’t Double Count

If official public holidays fall during an employee's annual leave, they are considered part of that leave unless otherwise stated in the employment contract or internal policies that provide additional benefits.

Employers cannot deny annual leave for more than two consecutive years unless the employee agrees to postpone it or opts to receive financial compensation instead, following company policy and legal guidelines.

If the employee resigns or is terminated without utilizing accrued leave, they are entitled to payment for all unused leave days, calculated according to the basic salary.

Other Types of Paid Leave Entitlements

In addition to annual and weekly rest days, UAE Labour Law guarantees several other categories of leave:

Bereavement Leave (Compassionate Leave):

5 days in the event of a spouse's death.

3 days for the death of a first- or second-degree relative (parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren).

Parental Leave:

5 working days for either parent (mother or father), to be taken continuously or intermittently within 6 months of the child’s birth.

Study Leave:

10 working days per year for employees enrolled in an accredited academic institution in the UAE, provided they’ve completed at least two years of employment with the same employer.

National Service Leave:

Granted to UAE nationals in accordance with the applicable national service laws and regulations.

Official Paid Public Holidays

Employees are entitled to full pay during public holidays officially declared by the UAE Cabinet. These typically include national holidays, Eid celebrations, and other religious and civic observances.

Conclusion

The UAE Labour Law provides a comprehensive framework that protects the rights of private sector employees while ensuring operational efficiency for businesses. Knowing your entitlements to various types of leave empowers you to maintain a healthy work-life balance and plan your personal life with confidence.