GCC Labour Rights: End-of-Service & Overtime
A concise comparison of your two biggest financial entitlements across all six GCC countries — overtime pay and end-of-service gratuity — under each country’s labour law, with free per-country calculators.
Overtime pay across the GCC
Overtime rate as a percentage of the ordinary hourly wage, by day type.
| Country | Weekday | Night | Rest day | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | 125% | 150% | 150% | 150% |
| UAE | 125% | 150% | 150% | 150% |
| Saudi Arabia | 150% | — | 150% | 150% |
| Kuwait | 125% | — | 150% | 200% |
| Oman | 125% | 150% | 150% | 150% |
| Bahrain | 125% | 150% | 150% | 150% |
End-of-service gratuity across the GCC
The governing law and whether resigning reduces your payout, with an accurate calculator per country.
| Country | Governing law | Resignation affects it? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 | No | Calculate |
| UAE | Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 | No | Calculate |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Labour Law, Articles 84–85 | Yes | Calculate |
| Kuwait | Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 | Yes | Calculate |
| Oman | Oman Labour Law (Decree 53/2023) | No | Calculate |
| Bahrain | Bahrain SIO Leaving Indemnity (Res. 109/2023) | No | Calculate |
Official sources
This page is general guidance; laws change and details vary by contract and job category. Always confirm with the official source.
Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rate across the GCC?
In most Gulf countries overtime is paid at 125% of the hourly wage on weekdays and 150% on rest days and public holidays. Saudi Arabia pays 150% for all overtime, and Kuwait pays 200% for work on official public holidays.
How is end-of-service gratuity calculated in the Gulf?
It is generally based on your last basic salary: roughly half a month for each of the first years and a full month for each subsequent year in most countries, with differences in the minimum qualifying period and the effect of resignation. See each country page for the exact rule.
Does resignation reduce your end-of-service gratuity?
In some countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) the award is reduced if you resign before a set length of service; in others it accrues the same whether you resign or are terminated. Use the country calculator to see the effect.
Are gratuity and overtime based on basic or total salary?
Both are normally calculated on basic salary only. Allowances such as housing and transport are typically excluded unless your contract says otherwise.