Do working hours include commute or travel time in the UAE?

As a general rule under the UAE Labour Law, your ordinary daily commute between home and the workplace is not counted within your working hours, because working time is the period you are actually performing your job duties. However, the law recognises specific situations, and the executive regulations address cases where travel time may be treated differently — for example travel that is part of the job itself or required by the employer during the working day, as opposed to the daily home-to-office journey. The treatment can also depend on your sector and the nature of your role. Because the boundary between an ordinary commute and work-related travel can be nuanced, the safest course is to check your contract and confirm the current rule with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. If your employer requires substantial work-related travel and you are unsure whether it should be counted or compensated, you can raise the question with MOHRE. You can also compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to review your specific arrangement.