The rates by country
| Country | Normal overtime | Night, rest day, holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Hourly wage plus 50% of the basic hourly wage | Rest days and holidays count as overtime at the same rate |
| UAE | Basic hourly wage + 25% | +50% from 10 pm to 4 am and on rest days or public holidays |
| Kuwait | Hourly wage + 25% | +50% on the rest day; double pay on public holidays |
| Qatar | Basic hourly wage + 25% | +50% from 9 pm to 6 am and on rest days or holidays |
| Oman | Basic hourly wage + 25% | +50% at night; double pay on rest days and holidays |
| Bahrain | Hourly wage + 25% | +50% at night and on rest days or holidays |
How the hourly wage is worked out
Most laws do not give a formula, so practice is: monthly salary ÷ 30 days ÷ 8 hours. In Kuwait employers often divide by 26 working days instead. In Saudi Arabia, Muslim workers work six hours a day in Ramadan, so the hourly wage is monthly salary ÷ 30 ÷ 6.
Example (UAE): basic salary 3,000 AED. Hourly wage = 3,000 ÷ 30 ÷ 8 = 12.50 AED. Normal overtime = 12.50 × 1.25 = 15.63 AED an hour. Twenty hours in a month = 312.50 AED.
Your rights
- Normal working time is 8 hours a day and 48 a week across the Gulf, less in Ramadan.
- In the UAE, overtime should not exceed 2 hours a day except in emergencies.
- Keep your own record of the hours you work: dates, start and finish times. It is your best proof.
- Overtime must appear on your payslip and be paid through the wage protection system with your salary.
- If it is not paid, complain to the labour ministry: HRSD (Saudi Arabia, 19911), MOHRE (UAE, 600590000), PAM (Kuwait), the Ministry of Labour (Qatar, Oman) or LMRA (Bahrain).
Check what you are owed with our overtime calculator for all six countries.