Employment benefits in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to be among the most closely scrutinised and frequently misunderstood aspects of labour law. While the legal framework provides clear-cut statutory entitlements, uncertainty often surrounds how these rights are interpreted, enforced, and applied in real workplace settings.

This Practice Note cuts through the legal complexity, offering a practical roadmap to the core employment benefits available to private sector employees. It also sets out the parallel obligations employers must meet under UAE law. Designed for legal professionals, human resource (HR) teams, and business owners alike, this Practice Note demystifies the UAE’s employment benefits regime and helps ensure compliance in day-to-day practice.

• ADGM: Abu Dhabi Global Market.

• DIFC: Dubai International Financial Centre.

• Free zone: One of the designated free zone areas outside the UAE onshore jurisdiction.

• MOHRE: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

• UAE: United Arab Emirates.