Indian Workers UAE Rights: What Your Contract Must Include
UAE labour law protects all workers equally regardless of nationality. But Indian workers — particularly in construction, hospitality, cleaning, and retail — are disproportionately affected by contract violations. Understanding your legal rights is the first step to protecting yourself.
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Verify My Rights NowWage Protection System: Your Salary Safety Net
The WPS was introduced to ensure every worker in the UAE receives their salary on time and in full. Your employer must register with WPS and transfer your salary through an approved bank or exchange house. If your salary is late by more than 15 days, MoHRE is automatically notified.
For Indian workers, the key issue is not whether WPS exists — it is whether the amount transferred matches the contract. Many employers deduct accommodation, transport, food, or even recruitment fees from the salary before WPS transfer. These deductions are often not authorised in the contract and constitute a wage violation.
Indian workers recruited through agents often had recruitment fees paid in India. Some UAE employers then deduct these fees again from the salary, resulting in double payment. This is illegal. The employer cannot deduct recruitment costs from your salary under any circumstances.
3 Rights Violations Indian Workers Must Watch For
WPS Salary Not Matching Contract Terms
Your MoHRE contract states one salary, but the WPS transfer shows a different amount. This is common when employers deduct unofficial charges for accommodation, transport, or recruitment fees from your salary before transfer. Every dirham difference between your contract salary and WPS payment is a recordable violation. Screenshot your WPS payments and compare monthly.
Overtime Not Paid or Calculated Incorrectly
Indian workers in retail, security, and hospitality frequently work 10-14 hour shifts with no overtime compensation. Under UAE law, any hour beyond 8 per day must be paid at 125% of your hourly rate. Friday work (if Friday is your rest day) must be compensated at 150% or with a substitute rest day. Keep a personal record of your actual working hours.
Annual Leave Denied or Bought Out Illegally
Some employers refuse annual leave requests or pressure Indian workers to accept cash instead of taking leave. Under Article 29 of the Labour Law, employers cannot force you to forgo your annual leave. They can only pay out unused leave when the employment ends. If your employer is consistently denying leave, this is a violation you can report to MoHRE.
Leave Entitlements Under UAE Law
After one year of continuous service, you are entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave. Many Indian workers do not know they can accumulate leave and must be paid for unused leave when their employment ends. Your employer cannot force you to take unpaid leave instead of paid annual leave.
Sick leave is another right frequently violated. You are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year: the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 days at half pay, and the remaining 45 days unpaid. Your employer cannot terminate you for taking legitimate sick leave supported by a medical certificate from a UAE-licensed doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wage Protection System and does it apply to Indian workers?
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is a mandatory electronic salary transfer system in the UAE. All employers must pay salaries through WPS-approved banks or exchange houses. This applies to all workers including Indian nationals. If your employer pays you in cash, through an unregistered channel, or delays salary beyond 15 days, you can file a complaint with MoHRE. WPS records serve as evidence of payment in disputes.
How many hours can Indian workers be required to work in the UAE?
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021, the maximum working hours are 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. During Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours per day. Overtime must be compensated at 125% of the normal hourly rate, or 150% for overtime between 10 PM and 4 AM. Many Indian workers in retail, hospitality, and construction work beyond these limits without overtime pay — this is a violation.
What leave entitlements do Indian workers have under UAE law?
After completing one year of service: 30 calendar days of annual leave. After 6 months but less than 1 year: 2 days per month. You also get 10 public holidays, up to 90 days sick leave (15 days full pay, 30 days half pay, 45 days unpaid), 5 days bereavement leave for a spouse or first-degree relative, and 5 days parental leave. Maternity leave is 60 days (45 full pay, 15 half pay).