Employment · Legal glossary
OvertimeIn Arabic: العمل الإضافي
Definition
Overtime is العمل الإضافي in Arabic: work beyond the set hours, paid at a higher rate or by compensatory leave where the law allows that.
How it varies across the GCC
In Saudi Arabia, article 107(1) of the Labour Law as amended by Royal Decree M/44 of 1446H is the hourly wage plus fifty percent of basic pay, or paid compensatory leave with the worker’s consent. In the UAE the addition is at least twenty-five percent, at least fifty percent for overtime between 10pm and 4am, and at most two overtime hours a day (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, article 19). The other states are under review.
The rules that apply to a specific matter depend on the state, any free zone involved and the current text of the law, so check the official source before relying on them.
Basis by country
| Country | Basis |
|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, article 19: at least 25% extra, at least 50% for overtime between 10pm and 4am, and at most two overtime hours a day. |
| Saudi Arabia | Labour Law, article 107(1), as amended by Royal Decree M/44 of 1446H: the hourly wage plus 50% of basic pay, or paid compensatory leave with the worker’s consent. |
| Bahrain | Under review |
| Qatar | Under review |
| Kuwait | Under review |
| Oman | Under review |
Sources
Official texts for the points on this page. General information, not legal advice. An article number is cited only where it was verified.
- Saudi Labour Law, art. 107https://laws.boe.gov.sa/BoeLaws/Laws/LawDetails/08381293-6388-48e2-8ad2-a9a700f2aa94/1
- UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, art. 19https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/ar/legislations/1541