Last updated: May 2026 | Sources: UAE MOHRE, ICP, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
Quick Summary
- UAE standard hours: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week. Any work beyond this is overtime.
- Regular overtime rate: 125% of hourly pay. Night (10 PM to 4 AM): 150%. Public holiday: 250%.
- You can claim up to 1 year back — construction and hospitality workers often do not know this.
- MOHRE resolves claims under AED 50,000 directly. No court or lawyer needed.
Who this guide is for
Workers in UAE construction, hospitality, security, cleaning, retail, and any role where extended hours, night work, or public-holiday work have been required but not visibly paid through the WPS payslip.
Why this guide exists
Articles 17–19 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 set out overtime rates that workers are entitled to claim retroactively for up to one year — yet most workers either calculate the wrong base or never gather usable evidence before filing. This guide walks through the formula, the documents to assemble, and the exact MOHRE path for claims under AED 50,000.
You worked extra hours. You did not get paid for them. Now you want to know what you are owed and how to get it.
Most guides about UAE overtime are written for HR managers. This guide on UAE overtime pay not received how to claim is for you — the worker who has not been paid. You will find the exact formula, real numbers, and steps to file your claim today.
The Law: What Articles 17 to 19 Say
Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Articles 17 to 19 set out overtime rules for all private sector workers in the UAE. Here is what they establish:
- Standard working hours: 8 hours per day, 48 hours per week
- Maximum overtime: 2 hours per day in most cases
- Total maximum daily hours including overtime: 10 hours
- All overtime must be compensated at the correct rate
During Ramadan, standard hours reduce to 6 hours per day for Muslim workers. Any work beyond 6 hours during Ramadan is overtime.
Overtime Rates: The Complete Table
| Type of Overtime | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular overtime (above 8 hrs/day) | 125% of hourly rate | Most common situation |
| Night overtime (10 PM to 4 AM) | 150% of hourly rate | Applies to hours worked in this window |
| Friday work | 150% of daily rate + compensatory day off | Or 150% if no compensatory day given |
| Public holiday work | 250% of daily rate | Or compensatory day off + 150% |
How to Calculate Your Overtime Pay: The Formula
UAE overtime is calculated based on your basic salary — not your total package including allowances.
Step 1: Find Your Hourly Rate
Hourly rate = Monthly basic salary divided by 30 divided by 8
Step 2: Apply the Overtime Multiplier
Multiply the hourly rate by the number of overtime hours, then by the applicable rate.
Worked Example: Calculating Unpaid Overtime
Situation: Your monthly basic salary is AED 2,000. You worked 3 hours of regular overtime last Tuesday.
- Hourly rate: AED 2,000 divided by 30 divided by 8 = AED 8.33 per hour
- Regular overtime rate: AED 8.33 multiplied by 1.25 = AED 10.42 per overtime hour
- 3 hours overtime: AED 10.42 multiplied by 3 = AED 31.25 owed
Now scale this up. Say you worked 3 hours of overtime every week for 6 months (approximately 26 weeks):
AED 31.25 per week multiplied by 26 weeks = AED 812.50 in unpaid regular overtime
Night overtime example:
Same AED 2,000 basic. You worked 2 hours between 11 PM and 1 AM.
- Hourly rate: AED 8.33
- Night rate: AED 8.33 multiplied by 1.50 = AED 12.50 per overtime hour
- 2 hours: AED 12.50 multiplied by 2 = AED 25.00 owed
Public holiday example:
Same AED 2,000 basic. You worked a full 8-hour shift on a public holiday.
- Daily rate: AED 2,000 divided by 30 = AED 66.67
- Public holiday rate: AED 66.67 multiplied by 2.50 = AED 166.67 for that day
How to Build Your Claim: Evidence to Collect
Before you file for UAE overtime pay not received how to claim your money, gather as much evidence as possible:
| Evidence Type | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Timesheets or attendance records | HR department, or your own copies |
| Gate access or fingerprint records | Security office or HR — request officially |
| WhatsApp messages from manager assigning extra work | Your phone — screenshot and save to cloud |
| Emails assigning overtime shifts | Your work or personal email |
| Salary slips showing no overtime was paid | HR, or the WPS app if paid via WPS |
| Rosters or schedules showing your shift times | Notice boards, group chats, email |
You do not need all of these. Even one type of evidence — a WhatsApp message asking you to stay late — is valuable. Gather what you have.
Documents to Prepare Before Filing an Overtime Claim
| Document | Why You Need It | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Employment contract | Establishes basic salary used for hourly-rate calculation | Your copy, HR, or MOHRE contract record |
| WPS payslips (last 12 months) | Confirms which months overtime was paid (or not) | WPS app or HR portal |
| Personal overtime log (date, start, end) | Independent record of hours worked beyond standard 8/day | Your phone notes — start today even retroactively |
| WhatsApp / SMS messages assigning extra hours | Direct evidence that overtime was instructed by management | Your phone — back up to cloud |
| Gate access / fingerprint records | Most reliable evidence of in/out times | Security office — request in writing |
| Roster / schedule screenshots | Proves rostered hours and any extension | Notice board, email, or group chat |
| Public-holiday calendar matched to your worked dates | Required for the 250% rate calculation | u.ae official public holidays list |
The 1-Year Rule: Do Not Wait
You can claim unpaid overtime going back 1 year from the date the overtime was worked. After 1 year, the right to claim expires.
This is critical for workers in construction, hospitality, security, and cleaning — industries where unpaid overtime is common and workers often do not know they can claim it retroactively.
If you have been working extra hours for 10 months without payment, you can claim all 10 months now. If you wait another 3 months, you will lose the first month of your claim. Start today.
The All-Inclusive Salary Contract Problem
Some contracts state that the salary is all-inclusive and covers any overtime. Or that the basic salary includes compensation for any extended hours.
Here is the honest position under UAE labour law:
- Such a clause may be valid if it was explicitly and clearly stated in the contract.
- However, even with an all-inclusive clause, a very low salary with a blanket overtime waiver is unlikely to be enforceable.
- If your contract does not mention overtime at all, the standard overtime rates apply automatically under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Action step: Read your contract carefully right now. If it says nothing about overtime — you are entitled to the standard rates. If it has an all-inclusive clause, bring it to MOHRE. Many such clauses are found to be unenforceable.
How to File a MOHRE Complaint for Unpaid Overtime
For claims under AED 50,000, MOHRE has binding authority. You do not need a court. You do not need a lawyer. This is what makes UAE overtime pay not received how to claim accessible to every worker.
- Go to mohre.gov.ae and log in using your UAE Pass or Emirates ID.
- Select Labour Complaints, then Wage-Related Complaint, then Unpaid Overtime.
- Enter the dates, hours worked, and amount owed. Attach your evidence.
- Or call 800-60 for phone assistance.
- Or visit the nearest MOHRE Customer Happiness Centre in person.
MOHRE will schedule a conciliation session with your employer. If no agreement is reached, MOHRE issues a binding decision. For claims under AED 50,000, this decision is enforceable within 14 days without going to court.
If your unpaid overtime is part of a wider salary issue, read our guide on claiming unpaid salary in the UAE.
Common Mistakes Workers Make
- Not keeping their own records. Keep a simple log: date, start time, end time, every day you work overtime. A phone note works.
- Thinking only managers can claim overtime. UAE overtime law applies to all workers — labourers, drivers, cleaners, cashiers, nurses, security staff. There is no standard job-category exemption.
- Waiting until they leave the company. You can file while still employed. Waiting until you resign means losing earlier months under the 1-year rule.
- Not including public holidays in the calculation. Public holiday work at 250% is often the largest single component of an overtime claim. Check which public holidays you worked.
- Accepting informal cash payments without receipts. Without proof of payment, you cannot confirm what was paid and what was not.
What Usually Happens Next
After filing a MOHRE complaint for UAE overtime pay not received how to claim resolution:
- MOHRE logs your complaint and sends notice to your employer within a few days.
- Both parties are invited to a conciliation session — usually within 2 weeks.
- If the employer agrees to pay at conciliation, the case closes quickly.
- If the employer disputes, MOHRE reviews the evidence and issues a binding decision for claims under AED 50,000.
- The decision is enforceable. If the employer does not pay within 14 days, MOHRE can enforce payment through wage attachment.
In practice: Employers with clear timesheets showing overtime was worked tend to settle quickly. The more evidence you provide upfront, the faster the process moves. For a full picture of what else your employer cannot take from your wages, see our guide on what else your employer cannot deduct from your salary.
If you are asking about UAE overtime pay not received how to claim your money — calculate what you are owed using the formula above, gather your evidence, and file with MOHRE today. The 1-year clock is running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is overtime calculated on basic salary or gross salary?
Overtime under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 is calculated on basic salary, not gross. Allowances such as housing, transport, and food are excluded from the hourly rate. Confirm your basic salary on your employment contract or MOHRE record — payslips sometimes only show total pay.
How far back can I claim unpaid overtime?
You can claim unpaid overtime for up to one year from the date the overtime was worked. Wage claims older than 12 months fall outside MOHRE’s jurisdiction. If you have been working unpaid overtime for several months, file as soon as possible — every passing month means losing the oldest part of the claim.
Does an all-inclusive salary clause mean I cannot claim?
Not necessarily. A contract clause stating the salary covers all overtime is only enforceable if the total compensation is reasonable in light of hours actually worked. If you can show that hourly equivalent falls below market norms once overtime is included, MOHRE has discretion to treat the clause as unenforceable. Bring the contract to MOHRE for review.
Can I file an overtime claim while still working for the same employer?
Yes. There is no requirement to wait until employment ends. Filing while still employed protects you under the one-year limitation rule and stops further unpaid months from accumulating. UAE Labour Law prohibits retaliatory dismissal for filing a MOHRE complaint.
Do I need a lawyer to file an overtime claim?
No. For claims under AED 50,000, MOHRE handles the case directly — including conciliation and binding decision — without any court appearance or lawyer required. The complaint is free to file via the MOHRE Smart App, mohre.gov.ae, or by calling 800-60.
What if my employer pays the overtime as cash with no record?
Insist on a written or stamped receipt for every cash payment. Without proof of payment, your records control — and if your overtime log says you worked the hours, MOHRE will treat the amount as unpaid unless the employer can show the contrary. Keep all such receipts even after you leave the job.
Official Sources Used in This Guide
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This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules can change. Always confirm with MOHRE or a qualified legal professional.