Does UAE labour law require equal pay for women?
Yes. Article 4 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 grants a woman a wage equal to a man's if she performs the same work or alternative work of equal value. The Cabinet sets the procedures and standards for evaluating work of equal value.
On this page
What equal value means in practice
Two roles with different titles can be of equal value. A female quantity surveyor and a male site engineer at the same grade, responsibility and qualification level should not be paid differently because of sex.
Related protections
The same article prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, national or social origin or disability, and Article 30 prohibits ending a woman's service because of pregnancy or maternity leave.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Salary grades and structures are defined centrally, and each employee's salary components are on their record, so pay for the same grade can be compared across the workforce.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A contractor pays two document controllers in the same grade. One woman earns AED 9,000 and one man AED 10,500 for the same duties and experience. Under Article 4 the difference must be justified by something other than sex, or corrected.
Questions people ask
Does it cover allowances too?
Article 4 refers to the wage, which includes the agreed pay.
Who defines equal value?
The Cabinet, by resolution.
Is Emiratisation discrimination?
No. Article 4 says measures to increase UAE citizens' participation are not discrimination.