Understanding Unpaid Overtime in the UAE

Aug 23, 2026

38 min

Aug 23, 2026 02:30

Ask Gulf News: Can your UAE employer refuse to pay for unpaid overtime?

## UAE Overtime Regulations

In the UAE, labor laws stipulate that employers can request employees to work beyond regular hours, but this should not exceed two extra hours per day. The total working hours must not surpass 144 hours over a three-week period.

## Proof of Overtime

If there is no written agreement for overtime, the responsibility to prove the extra hours worked falls on the employee. Evidence such as emails, messages, work schedules, and attendance records can be used to demonstrate that the overtime was performed with the employer's knowledge and approval.

## Legal Recourse

Employees who face issues with unpaid overtime can file a complaint with the Labor office. The court will then evaluate the evidence provided to make a judgment on the matter.

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