Question: I recently read about an employment rule in the UAE that mandates breaks for employees during work. Can you explain this to me? Is it a mandatory requirement? Where and how can I complain if my employer refuses to give me this option?
Response: Pursuant to your queries, it is assumed that you are employed by a mainland private sector company incorporated in the UAE. Therefore, the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations (the ‘Employment Law’) are applicable.
In the UAE, an employee is entitled for break(s) in between working hours (if required in intervals) which may not be less than one hour in aggregate. Further, an employee may not work for more than five consecutive hours in a day without a break.
This is in accordance with Article 18 of the Employment Law, which states: “The employee may not work over five consecutive hours without one or more breaks which shall amount in aggregate to not less than one hour, provided that such break(s) shall not be calculated as part of the working hours. Working hours and breaks in the Establishment shall be regulated by shifts, or for certain categories depending on their nature - such as on-site positions - and as per the manpower classification specified in the Executive Regulations of this Decree-Law."
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