Important news for Pakistanis living in UAE

Dubai: The Pakistan Consulate in Dubai has released an informational video for Pakistani workers in the UAE, highlighting their legal rights and responsibilities under local labor laws.

The video highlights basic employment rules, including salaries, leave, gratuity, overtime, resignation procedures, and workplace code of conduct. Pakistani workers are reminded to start work only when they have a formal work permit, which is the responsibility of the sponsoring employer, and will bear all the expenses.

متحدہ عرب امارت میں مقيم پاكستانی ورکرز كيلئے UAE labor laws کے حوالے سے بنائی گئئ خصوصی آگاہى ویڈیو !

Awareness video on UAE labor laws for Pakistani workers residing in the United Arab Emirates pic.twitter.com/dtHc5z8XS6

— Pakistan Embassy UAE (@PakinUAE_) October 2, 2025

Key points:

Contract and Probation: Employment contracts in the Emirates are usually for two years and must be signed by both parties. The probation period can be a maximum of six months. During the probation period, if the employer terminates the contract, a 14-day notice must be given, while a 30-day notice is required for the employee. Leaving a job without notice can result in a one-year ban.

Working hours and overtime: The standard work schedule is eight hours a day or 48 hours a week, with a break of five hours. Six hours of duty will be required daily during Ramadan. Overtime will be paid at a 25 percent premium, and night or holiday pay at a 50 percent premium.

Salaries and Leave: Wages are paid on time and preferably directly into a bank account. Employees are entitled to 30 days of annual leave, up to 90 days of sick leave, 60 days of maternity leave, 5 days of paternity leave, and 3 to 5 days of bereavement leave.

Gratuity: Those working for one to five years will receive 21 days of salary for each year, while those working for more than five years will receive 30 days of salary for each year as gratuity. Those working for less than one year will not receive gratuity.

Resignation: Employees must give notice before resigning; however, if they are not paid or the workplace is unsafe, immediate resignation is permissible.

Employer responsibilities: It is prohibited to keep a passport in their possession. Health insurance, accommodation, and a return ticket for blue-collar employees are mandatory.

Employee responsibilities: It is mandatory to work honestly and with discipline, and employment with another employer cannot be done without permission.

Filing complaints: Employees can approach the “Facilitation Center” in case of problems related to salary, gratuity, or passports. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization will first hear the complaint, and later the matter can be sent to court.