What are the rules for working on a public holiday in the UAE?

Under the UAE Labour Law, employees are entitled to official public holidays with pay, as announced by the Cabinet for the public and private sectors. If your employer requires you to work on an official public holiday, the law provides that you must be compensated — typically with a replacement day off, or with pay for that day plus an additional uplift set by the law. The exact compensation method and the uplift percentage are fixed by the Decree-Law and its executive regulations. Public holidays are announced each year, so the specific dates vary. The compensation is calculated from your wage as defined by the law. Because the figures and the choice between a replacement day and additional pay are governed by the regulations, confirm the current rules and how they apply to your contract with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. If you worked a public holiday without receiving either a day off in lieu or the additional pay, you can file a complaint with MOHRE. You can also compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for help with your case.