Question: I work a usual eight-hour day, but my manager says we can only take one short break of 15 minutes to eat.
The work is tiring as we are always on our feet in a shop. In my previous job, we had at least 30 minutes to sit down and eat.
Can you tell me what the law says because this short time is just not enough for staff? RC, Abu Dhabi
Answer: The UAE labour law is very clear about employees having legally mandated breaks during the working day.
Article (18) of the new law states: “The worker may not work for more than five consecutive hours without a break or breaks of not less than an hour in total, provided that these periods are not included in the working hours.
“Working hours and breaks shall be arranged at an establishment working according to shifts or for some job categories, as per their nature, such as field jobs, and according to the workers’ classification specified in the Implementing Regulation hereof.”
RC and his colleagues must have a proper break of at least one hour during the working day.
If their contract of employment states that they will work eight hours per day, they may work no more than five hours before taking a one-hour break and can then work the remaining hours.
If the employer fails to allow staff to have the legally required breaks, they can be reported to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation through its website.
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