Under UAE labor laws, specifically the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, all employees are legally entitled to fully paid leave on official public holidays as designated by the government. Your employer cannot simply assume you will work; any request for you to perform duties on a holiday must be formally communicated and documented. It is a standard expectation that work arrangements for these days are transparent, ensuring both the employer and the employee understand the requirements well in advance.

If your employer does require you to work during an official public holiday due to operational needs, they are legally mandated to compensate you. According to Article 28 of the Employment Law, you are entitled to either a substitute rest day—commonly referred to as compensatory leave—or payment for your normal working day plus an additional premium of at least 50% of your basic salary. If you find yourself in a situation where your time is not being tracked or you are not receiving this mandated compensation, it is important to address this formally with your HR department or management to ensure your rights are being protected under the law.