If a company in Dubai hires a freelancer for a six-month project, can it set office hours, require attendance, or offer leave the way it does for regular employees?

No — under UAE labour law, a freelancer operates independently and is not considered an employee of the company; they work based on a service agreement outlining deliverables, timelines and payments, not employment benefits or entitlements like leave, fixed office hours, or workplace protections. Freelancers must hold a valid MoHRE freelance permit, and hiring one without it is considered illegal. Do you think companies should have more flexibility to treat freelancers like regular staff for long projects, or should freelancers remain fully independent?

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