What is the minimum working age in the UAE?
Fifteen. Article 5 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 prohibits employing anyone under 15. A juvenile can be employed only with a guardian's written consent and a medical fitness certificate, for at most six hours a day, never between 7 pm and 7 am, and never in dangerous or arduous work.
Further limits on juveniles
A juvenile's six hours must include breaks of at least an hour in total, and no stretch may exceed four hours. Juveniles may not work overtime, stay after hours, or work on rest days or public holidays.
The Minister lists the dangerous and arduous work that juveniles may not do. The Implementing Regulation also allows training and educational bodies some exemptions.
What this means on a construction site
Construction work is the clearest case of arduous and potentially dangerous work, so contractors should not place juveniles on site. Office internships remain possible within the hours and consent rules.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Employee records hold the date of birth, so HR can see the worker's age when a contract is made and check it before assigning site rosters or overtime.
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 16-year-old joins a contractor's head office for a summer placement with his father's written consent and a medical certificate. He can work 9:00 to 16:00 with an hour's lunch after his first four hours, six working hours in total, Monday to Friday only.
Questions people ask
Can a 14-year-old work in the UAE?
No. Article 5 sets 15 as the minimum.
Can a juvenile work overtime?
No.
Can a juvenile work at night?
No, not between 7 pm and 7 am.