# UAE 2021 Labour Law provisions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uae-2021-labour-law-provisions
> Updated: 2026-08-20T13:54:57.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3.

The United Arab Emirates’ Federal Decree‑Law No. 33 of 2021, administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), establishes a framework for private‑sector employment, balancing worker protections with employer responsibilities.

Regarding termination, the law identifies ten specific grounds for dismissal without notice, including the use of forged documents, causing material loss, breaching safety rules, divulging trade secrets, being under the influence of narcotics or alcohol, assaulting staff, or unlawful competition. Article 44 further specifies that summary dismissal is permitted if an employee is absent without a legitimate reason for more than seven consecutive days or more than 20 non-consecutive days within a single year.

For employees in a probationary period—which is capped at six months—resignation requires written notice of at least one month if moving to another job within the UAE, or 14 days if leaving the country. While paid through their final working day, these employees are not entitled to end‑of‑service gratuity, which requires one full year of continuous service.

The law also outlines standard work terms, such as a 48-hour workweek (40 hours during Ramadan) and limits on overtime. Family-related entitlements include 60 days of maternity leave (45 days full pay, 15 days half pay), up to 45 additional unpaid days for medical conditions, and 30 days of fully-paid leave for children with disabilities. Additionally, the law provides five days of parental leave for fathers and rights to nursing breaks.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: UAE Labour Law: Rules on absenteeism and probation resignation

UAE Labour Law outlines strict rules for summary dismissal due to absenteeism and defines notice requirements for employees resigning during their six-month probation period.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-labour-law-rules-on-absenteeism-and-probation-resignation

### 2026-08-01: UAE strengthens maternity and parental leave entitlements under 2021 Labour Law

UAE law gives private‑sector mothers 60 days maternity leave (45 full pay, 15 half pay), extra unpaid medical leave, and a five‑day paternal leave, with employer compliance overseen by MOHRE.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-strengthens-maternity-and-parental-leave-entitlements-under-2021-labour-law

### 2026-07-30: UAE Labour Law lists ten dismissal grounds and private‑sector employee rights

UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree‑Law No. 33/2021) allows dismissal without notice for ten specific violations and outlines private‑sector work hours, overtime limits, and employee protections, overseen by MOHRE.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-labour-law-lists-ten-dismissal-grounds-and-privatesector-employee-rights

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Cite as: UAE 2021 Labour Law provisions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uae-2021-labour-law-provisions