Wages through the government system
Salaries are paid via the Wage Protection System (WPS) — banked, on time, and visible to the regulator. Late or partial payment is a reportable violation, with graduated enforcement under MoHRE.
A written, fixed-term contract
Every worker signs a fixed-term, MOHRE-registered contract stating the job, salary and term, and receives their own copy. Federal law prevails over any conflicting verbal promise.
Your passport stays yours
Confiscating or holding a worker's passport is prohibited and criminal in the UAE. Your passport remains in your possession at all times.
Limited hours, paid overtime
The standard is 8 hours a day, 48 a week (reduced in Ramadan). Overtime is capped and paid at a legal premium — +25%, and +50% for night hours and weekly rest or public holidays.
Recruitment cost sits with the employer
Under the Employer-Pays principle, the cost of recruitment, visa and mobilisation is the employer's, not the worker's. It may not be re-labelled and charged back to a worker as a "fee".
End-of-service entitlement
On completing your term you are owed end-of-service gratuity — 21 days' basic wage per year for the first five years, 30 days per year thereafter (capped at two years' wage).