UAE Gratuity for Part-Time Workers 2026
Yes, part-time employees are entitled to gratuity โ here is how it is calculated ยท 7 min read ยท
By Asfandyar Khan, UAE Gratuity Check
The short answer
Yes. Part-time workers in the UAE are entitled to end-of-service gratuity under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The calculation is proportional to working hours compared to a full-time equivalent.
The current labour law recognises part-time work as a valid work pattern. After one year of continuous service, part-time employees have the same gratuity rights as full-time staff, scaled to their hours. The official DMCC EOSB guide uses exactly this hours-based method.
Part-time employment under UAE law
The 2021 UAE Labour Law formally recognised flexible work arrangements including part-time, temporary, and task-based contracts. A part-time employee is defined as someone who works for one or more employers for a specific number of hours, days, or weeks that is less than the normal full-time working hours (48 hours per week under the standard UAE framework, or the employer's standard hours if lower).
| Work arrangement | Gratuity entitlement |
|---|---|
| Full-time (48 hrs/week) | Standard gratuity โ full calculation |
| Part-time (e.g. 24 hrs/week = 50%) | 50% of standard gratuity |
| Part-time with multiple employers | Each employer calculates separately |
| Freelance / self-employed | Not entitled โ no employment relationship |
| Contractor via agency | Agency is the employer โ entitled from agency |
How to calculate gratuity for part-time workers
The proportional formula works in two steps:
- Calculate the full-time equivalent gratuity โ using your actual basic salary and years of service, as if you were full-time
- Apply the part-time ratio โ multiply by (your weekly hours รท standard full-time hours)
Part-time gratuity โ three scenarios
Example 1 โ 50% part-time, 3 years
Profile: AED 4,000 basic salary (for 24 hrs/week), full-time equivalent is 48 hrs/week, 3 years of service
Example 2 โ 75% part-time, 6 years
Profile: AED 6,000 basic salary (for 36 hrs/week), full-time = 48 hrs/week, 6 years of service
Example 3 โ working for two employers
Profile: 20 hrs/week with Employer A (basic AED 3,000) and 20 hrs/week with Employer B (basic AED 2,500) โ both for 4 years. Full-time = 48 hrs/week.
Each employer calculates and pays their portion independently.
Eligibility โ same rules as full-time
- Minimum service: You must have completed at least one year of continuous service with the same employer to be entitled to any gratuity
- Resignation: Full proportional gratuity after 1+ year โ the 2022 law removed all resignation penalties (see our resignation vs termination guide)
- Dismissal: Gratuity is still owed after one year, as for full-time employees; only lawful deductions (Article 51(7)) can reduce it
- Two-year cap: Total gratuity cannot exceed two years' wage (Article 51(6)) at your part-time rate
- Freelancers: If you hold a freelance permit and work as an independent contractor, you are not an employee and have no gratuity entitlement
Can you work part-time for multiple UAE employers?
Yes. The 2021 UAE Labour Law explicitly allows workers to hold part-time contracts with multiple employers simultaneously, provided this does not violate any non-compete clause and the combined working hours do not affect performance. Each employer issues their own work permit (MOHRE permit) and is independently responsible for calculating and paying their share of your gratuity.
Frequently asked questions
My hours vary each week. How is the part-time ratio calculated?
If your contracted hours vary, the ratio should be based on the average hours in your employment contract. If your actual hours regularly exceeded your contracted hours, keep payslips as evidence. In disputes, MOHRE and courts typically use the contracted hours unless you can demonstrate a consistent higher pattern.
I transitioned from full-time to part-time mid-employment. How is gratuity calculated?
Your gratuity is calculated on the last basic salary at the time of leaving, but the part-time ratio applies only from when you became part-time. The years worked full-time would use a ratio of 1.0, and part-time years would use the lower ratio. It is best to consult HR for the exact breakdown if this applies to you.
Does UAE gratuity apply to domestic workers on part-time arrangements?
Domestic workers (housemaids, cleaners, nannies) are covered by a separate law, Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2022. Article 22 of that law leaves the gratuity calculation to a Cabinet decision and sets no fixed formula. See our domestic workers guide for full details.
Calculate your part-time gratuity
Enter your basic salary and years of service โ the calculator handles the proportional step.
Use the free calculator โ