UAE law guarantees overtime Ramadan pay

Junior employees should get 50 per cent more of their hourly wage for night shifts

Employees in the UAE work two hours less during Ramadan. AFP

Employees who have to work longer hours in Ramadan must be paid overtime.

During the holy month, a working day becomes shorter by two hours for all Muslim and non-Muslim employees.

Businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and hospitals may require staff to work longer hours but they should be paid overtime.

“For any extra working hour, an employee is entitled to receive their usual remuneration plus an increase of at least 25 per cent of their hourly wage,” said Dr Hasan Elhais, legal consultant of Al Rowaad Advocates.

“If the overtime is worked between 9pm and 4am, an employee is entitled to receive their usual remuneration plus an increase of at least 50 per cent of their hourly salary.”

The overtime is calculated upon the gross salary (basic pay plus allowances).

Dr Elhais said the overtime rules are applicable throughout the year.

In the UAE, employees are required to work 9 hours with one hour of break time. This reduces by two hours during the holy month.

Overtime must not exceed two hours per day unless the nature of work can prevent substantial loss or serious accident, a rule that also applies during Ramadan, said Dr Elhais.

“The law doesn’t mention days off in return for extra hours,” he said.

People who are permanently on late shift, such as airport and hospital employees, and if their working hours were mentioned in the contract and agreed upon, are not entitled to extra pay for such shifts.

But they will be entitled to overtime if they work longer hours during Ramadan.

The overtime rule only applies to junior staff and not those in senior roles, said Dr Hasan.

“In case employees are not paid for the extra hours worked, they should request payment and if it doesn't happen, they must complain to the Ministry of Human Resources,” he said.

Businesses that The National spoke to said they plan ahead to ensure staff do not have to work extra hours.

“We will give full benefit of reduced working hours to our regular staff, including the general manager,” said Asier Baquero, general manager at Occidental Sharjah Grand Hotel.

“There are no overtime hours generated during Ramadan. We employ outsourced staff to cover the reduced working hours.”

Zulekha Healthcare Group said it also tries to not burden employees with extra hours during Ramadan.

“Considering the holy month, working hours of our clinical and non-clinical staff are always planned ahead to ensure employees maintain a balance while fasting,” said Taher Shams, managing director of Zulekha Healthcare Group.

Staff work on a rota to ensure patient care is not compromised and emergency services are always available.

“Our doctors are scheduled on shifts between 9am to midnight on all days during the month and they get their scheduled weeks off as well. Doctors across all specialities are also available on call as and when required,” he said.

Preparations begin for Ramadan — in pictures

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  Egyptian craftsmen produce Ramadan lanterns, called fanous, at a workshop in Cairo. EPA

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  An activist of the Al Khidmat Foundation Pakistan, a non-profit organisation, packs iftar food to be sent to Afghanistan, in Peshawar, in preparation for the start of Ramadan. AFP

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  Youths hold torches at a parade to welcome the holy month in Jakarta, Indonesia. EPA

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  Palestinian volunteers clean the Al-Aqsa compound, in front of the Dome of Rock Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City. AP

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  Palestinians shop for traditional 'fanous', a decoration used to celebrate the start of Ramadan, in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. AFP

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  A Quran reading at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. EPA

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  A man cleans a mosque in the run-up to Ramadan in Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA

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  A vendor sells dates in Peshawar. EPA

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  A Palestinian man tries to attract custom for his fanous in Jerusalem. AFP

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  A Palestinian craftsman works on a section of an Islamic-style monument that consists of lantern and a crescent, two symbols of the Islamic holy month, in the West Bank city of Ramallah. AP

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  Palestinians shop at Al-Zawya old market in Gaza city in preparation for Ramadan. AFP

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  Shopping for decorations in Al-Zawya old market in Gaza city, in preparation for Ramadan. AFP

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  A woman buys a Ramadan decoration in Beirut. EPA

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  A shopkeeper sells prayer mats in Peshawar. EPA