How to File a Labour Complaint with MOHRE

You can file a labour complaint with MOHRE through the MOHRE website, the MOHRE app, the call centre on 600590000, or an approved service centre. MOHRE will register the complaint, contact the employer, try to settle the dispute, and either issue a decision in some cases or refer the dispute to the labour court.

When MOHRE is the right place to complain

MOHRE is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. It deals with many private sector employment complaints in the UAE. Common complaints include unpaid salary, end-of-service gratuity, illegal deductions, refusal to cancel a work permit, non-payment after resignation or termination, and disputes about notice period or leave pay.

The main UAE law is Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations. Article 54 covers individual labour disputes. It requires a worker or employer to first submit the dispute to MOHRE. MOHRE must try to settle the dispute amicably before the matter moves further.

MOHRE is usually the correct starting point if you work for a mainland UAE company registered with MOHRE. It may also be involved where your work permit and employment record sit with MOHRE.

The route can differ if you work in a free zone. Many free zones have their own authority or employment affairs office that receives complaints first. DIFC and ADGM have their own employment laws and court systems, so MOHRE is usually not the complaint route for those employers. If you are unsure, check your employment contract, visa, work permit, salary certificate, or offer letter to see which authority issued your employment documents.

Do not wait too long. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 54, a labour claim is not accepted after one year from the date the entitlement became due. This matters for unpaid wages, gratuity, leave encashment, and other amounts that became payable on a specific date.

What to prepare before you file

A strong complaint starts with clear documents. MOHRE can act faster when you explain the problem in simple facts and support it with proof. You do not need to write like a lawyer. You do need to be accurate.

Prepare your basic details first. These include your full name, Emirates ID number, passport number, mobile number, email address, employer name, trade licence name if known, labour card or work permit number if available, and the work location. If you have left the job, note your last working day. If you are still working, say so.

Then prepare the employment documents. Useful records include:

• Signed employment contract
• MOHRE offer letter, if available
• Work permit or labour card details
• Salary slips
• Bank statements showing salary payments
• WPS salary records, if you have them
• Termination letter or resignation email
• Notice period messages
• Leave records
• Any written promise to pay
• WhatsApp or email messages about unpaid salary or settlement

Make a simple calculation. For example, list each unpaid salary month and the amount due. If the complaint is about final settlement, split it into parts, such as unpaid salary, notice pay, unused annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity. Do not inflate the claim. A clear and realistic claim is easier to resolve.

If you do not have all documents, you can still complain. Many workers do not have copies of every record. Give MOHRE what you have, and explain what is missing. If your employer controls the records, say that clearly.

How to file the complaint with MOHRE

You can file a MOHRE labour complaint through several official channels. The common options are the MOHRE website, the MOHRE mobile app, the call centre on 600590000, and MOHRE-approved service centres. If you use a service centre, ask about any service fees before they submit the request. The complaint itself should be made through official MOHRE channels, not through a private person who claims they can “fix” the case.

The process is usually straightforward. You provide your details, your employer’s details, the type of complaint, and a short description of what happened. You may be asked to upload documents. If you file by phone, MOHRE may guide you through the next step or register the matter based on your information.

Write the complaint in a factual way. For example:

“I worked for ABC LLC from 1 March 2023 to 30 June 2026. My monthly salary was AED 6,000. The employer has not paid my salary for May and June 2026. I also have not received my final settlement. I ask for payment of unpaid salary and final dues.”

Avoid insults, threats, or long emotional explanations. They can distract from the legal issue. If there are several issues, number them.

Keep the complaint reference number. Save screenshots, SMS messages, and emails from MOHRE. Answer calls from MOHRE, even if you think the employer will not cooperate. If you miss a call, follow up quickly through the same channel.

If you are outside the UAE, you may still be able to contact MOHRE through online or phone channels. Practical steps may be harder, especially if documents are missing or you need to attend a meeting, but you should still raise the complaint as soon as possible because of the one-year time limit.

What MOHRE does after you complain

After the complaint is registered, MOHRE usually contacts both sides. The aim is to understand the dispute and reach a settlement. This may happen by phone, online communication, or an appointment. MOHRE may ask the employer to respond, produce records, or attend a discussion.

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 54, says labour disputes must first be submitted to MOHRE, which must take the necessary steps to settle the dispute amicably. If settlement is not possible, the next step depends on the type and value of the dispute.

Since changes to Article 54, MOHRE can decide certain disputes itself, including disputes where the claim value does not exceed AED 50,000. MOHRE decisions in these cases can be enforceable. For larger or unresolved disputes that MOHRE does not decide, the matter may be referred to the competent court.

A party who disagrees with a MOHRE decision should act quickly. Article 54 provides a short challenge period for certain MOHRE decisions. Do not ignore a decision because you think it is only administrative. It may affect your rights.

A settlement can be useful, but read it carefully. If you sign that you received all dues, it may be difficult to claim more later. Do not sign a receipt for money you have not received. If payment will be made later, the document should say when, how much, and how it will be paid.

Common labour complaints and how to present them

Unpaid salary is one of the most common MOHRE complaints. State the salary amount, the months unpaid, and whether any partial payments were made. Bank statements are useful because they show what was actually paid. If your salary was normally paid through WPS and then stopped, say when it stopped.

For final settlement complaints, separate each amount. A final settlement may include unpaid salary, payment for unused annual leave, notice period amounts, and end-of-service gratuity if due. The exact entitlement depends on the contract, how employment ended, length of service, and UAE labour law. Do not simply say “the company owes me everything.” List the amounts you can identify.

For cancellation issues, explain what you need. Some workers complain because the employer will not cancel the work permit after resignation or termination. Others complain because the employer cancelled them but did not pay final dues. These are different problems. Make clear whether you want payment, cancellation, a work permit issue fixed, or all of these.

For absconding or work abandonment disputes, act fast. If you receive a message that the employer has filed a complaint against you, contact MOHRE and ask how to respond. Keep proof of your attendance, resignation, medical leave, approved leave, or messages showing that the employer knew where you were.

For deductions, explain why you say the deduction is unlawful or wrong. Attach payslips and bank records. If the employer says money was deducted for damage, loans, visa costs, training, or notice period, ask them to identify the legal and contractual basis.

For harassment, safety, or serious workplace issues, MOHRE may not be the only authority involved. Depending on the facts, police, public prosecution, civil defence, health and safety bodies, or free zone authorities may also matter. If there is immediate danger, seek urgent help first.

Court, costs, timelines, and settlement risks

If the dispute goes to court, it becomes a formal legal case. Labour courts in the UAE are used to dealing with employment claims, but procedure still matters. You must follow filing rules, attend hearings, submit documents, and respond to the employer’s defence. If you do not understand the documents, get help quickly.

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 55, gives important fee protection for workers. It states that labour cases filed by workers or their heirs are exempt from judicial fees at all stages of litigation and execution if the claim amount does not exceed AED 100,000. This is one reason it is important to calculate your claim properly. If your claim is above that amount, ask the court or a lawyer about the current fee position before filing.

Timelines vary. A simple unpaid salary complaint may settle quickly if the employer cooperates. A disputed gratuity or termination case can take longer, especially if the employer argues about resignation, misconduct, leave records, or salary structure. Court timelines also differ by emirate and by how busy the court is.

Be careful with settlement pressure. Some employers offer a lower amount for fast payment. This may be reasonable if the dispute is uncertain and you need a quick result. It may be unfair if the employer is using delay to force you to accept less than your legal entitlement. Before agreeing, compare the offer with your documents and the likely time and cost of continuing.

Also think about immigration and work status. A labour complaint does not automatically solve visa expiry, overstay, housing, or new employment issues. If your visa is expiring or your employer is delaying cancellation, ask MOHRE what steps are available and check your immigration status with the relevant authority.

What to do next

Start by identifying the correct authority. If your employer is a mainland private company, MOHRE is usually the starting point. If you work in a free zone, ask the free zone authority whether complaints must go through them first. If you work in DIFC or ADGM, check the relevant employment office or court route instead of assuming MOHRE applies.

Next, prepare a one-page summary. Include your job title, start date, last working day if any, monthly salary, what went wrong, and the exact amount you claim. Attach documents in order. Name files clearly, such as “employment contract,” “May 2026 bank statement,” and “termination email.”

Then file the complaint through an official MOHRE channel. Use the MOHRE app, website, call centre on 600590000, or an approved service centre. Keep the complaint number. Save every message from MOHRE.

After filing, stay available. Answer calls. Attend appointments. If the employer offers settlement, ask for written terms. Do not sign a full and final settlement unless the amount is correct and the payment method is clear.

If MOHRE issues a decision, read it immediately and check any deadline to challenge it. If MOHRE refers the case to court, do not delay filing or following court instructions. Remember the one-year time limit in Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Article 54.

If the amount is large, the facts are disputed, or you are being asked to sign documents you do not understand, speak to a UAE employment lawyer before you agree to anything.

This article is general information about UAE law, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different. For advice on your own case, speak to a licensed UAE lawyer.

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