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The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has detailed the rights of foreign workers to official public holidays with full pay across both public and private sectors in the UAE. According to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, private sector employees who make up the vast majority of the expatriate workforce are entitled to these days off as determined by Cabinet resolution. If business needs require staff to work on a public holiday, employers must provide either a substitute rest day or additional compensation. This framework was reinforced in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which governs how holidays are observed and potentially shifted to adjacent weekdays.
Article 28 of the labour law sets out the precise compensation mechanisms when work occurs on a public holiday. The legislation states, “The worker shall be entitled to official days off with full pay on public holidays, which are defined by a resolution of the Cabinet. If work conditions require that the worker works during any of the public holidays, the employer shall compensate him with another day off for each day, or pay him the wage for that day plus an increase of not less than 50 per cent of the basic wage for that day.” Gulf News reported that the choice between compensatory leave and premium pay generally rests with the employer provided the minimum standard is met. A legal assessment published on the Aysham Law website confirmed that the 50 percent uplift is calculated solely on basic salary rather than the full compensation package.
With the final public holiday of 2026 approaching, Legit.ng reported that National Day on December 2 and 3 will be observed by both public and private sector workers. The outlet noted that Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 permits authorities to shift certain eligible holidays to the start or end of the week to create longer breaks where appropriate. Employees have been advised to review their individual contracts and remaining annual leave balances early to maximise time off around these periods. The UAE observes between nine and 12 public holidays annually depending on the lunar calendar for Eid occasions.
Domestic workers, a significant category of foreign labour, receive additional layered protections under separate federal decrees that complement the general labour law. A government publication summarised by Legit.ng listed seven core entitlements for domestic staff including one paid rest day per week, at least 30 days of annual leave and a maximum of 30 days of sick leave per year. These provisions sit alongside public holiday rules and require employers to return personal documents such as passports upon request. The classification helps ensure consistent application across household and commercial employment settings.
Industry analysts have pointed to the importance of clear communication of these rights given that expatriates constitute more than 85 percent of the private sector labour force. A Lexology briefing issued in February 2026 highlighted how the 2024 Cabinet decision standardised holiday observance while preserving employee entitlements to either time off in lieu or enhanced pay. Legal firms including MIO & Partners have recommended that workers obtain written confirmation from employers specifying which compensation method will apply before agreeing to holiday shifts. This step helps prevent disputes and ensures compliance with the statutory minimums.
The regulations form part of broader reforms aimed at balancing operational flexibility for businesses with worker protections in a diverse labour market. According to multiple legal reviews including those from Khaleej Times and The National, the rules apply uniformly regardless of an employee’s grade or nationality provided the work is performed in the mainland UAE. Employers in free zones may be subject to additional or parallel frameworks but must still meet or exceed the federal baseline. Authorities continue to encourage both sides of the employment relationship to consult official ministry channels for case-specific guidance ahead of major holidays.
