To supplement their income, UAE employees can work part-time to earn up to Dh10,000 per month.
According to recruitment specialists, most part-time jobs in the UAE offer competitive hourly wages, but the income depends mainly on the employee's skills, industry, and the urgency of the employer.
A part-time workforce also allows employers to easily manage short-term projects, and seasonal demands.
Employees in the UAE may work for more than one employer after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The earning potential for part-time jobs in the UAE can vary depending on factors like industry, experience, job responsibilities, and duration, according to Diamond Fares, founder and managing director of On Point Portal.
“The rate per hour can range between Dh75 and Dh150 on average, but it depends on the number of hours, job description, part-timer's experience, etc.,” Fares explained.
The On Point Portal has over 9,000 users and published 1,400 part-time jobs, from waiters, hostesses, models, event staff, to brand ambassadors.
The income earned through a part-time job or apprenticeship can vary depending on the candidate's qualifications, skills, industry, or the urgency of an employer to complete a project or the urgency of meeting seasonal customer demands, according to Mayank Patel, vice president for sales, Eastern Europe and Mena, and country head for Middle East at Adecco.
“Ideally the income from a part-time job could begin at Dh4,000 to Dh10,000, depending on the role and complexity of the job,” said Patel.
What are the hours of work?
She added that part-time job hours can vary depending on individual preferences and job requirements in the hospitality and entertainment industry.
People typically work between four and seven hours a day in part-time jobs, allowing for flexibility and work-life balance. She added that earnings can vary based on factors such as hourly rates, job duties, and hours worked.
However, UAE law is silent on the minimum number of working hours for employees who are employed under part-time employment contracts.
Patel added that an ideal part-time job could have work hours anywhere between six to 20 hours per week.
Part-time jobs that are common
Adecco's country head said there are various part-time job opportunities in the UAE, based on the individual candidate’s interests, skills, and experience.
“We can view roles such as retail sales associate, customer service representative, content creator, food delivery driver, social media manager, digital marketing specialist, event coordinator, brand ambassador or promoter, administrative assistant, web developer, graphic designer, IT consultant, network administrator, sales associate – these are just some of the options available. However, there could be more roles depending on the industry and skills required in the region,” added Patel.
Diamond Fares pointed out that prior to Covid-19, part-time jobs were limited to specific events. But post-pandemic, there’s a notable shift in the hospitality industry, with many businesses embracing part-time jobs.
In the UAE, businesses collaborate with professionals during high seasons to increase staff numbers due to the seasonal nature of the F&B industry. Additionally, we have seen a similar trend emerge in the retail industry in late 2022 and early 2023, especially during sales and occasions."