A UAE labour complaint is the formal route through MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, for resolving a private-sector employment dispute, such as unpaid wages, end-of-service benefits, unfair dismissal, or a contract breach. Filing is free, and MOHRE tries to mediate before any case reaches court. This guide was checked against MOHRE’s own site and the UAE Government Portal.
UAE labour complaint at a glance
- Deadline: 2 years from when the entitlement fell due (most commonly the termination date), under Article 54(9) of the Labour Law. This was 1 year under the old rule, so don’t rely on outdated advice that still says one year.
- How to file: the MOHRE app or eServices (mohre.gov.ae), signing in with UAE Pass, or in person at a Tas’heel centre.
- Advice line: the Labour Claims and Advisory Centre on 80084 for guidance before you file. For general MOHRE enquiries, the call centre is 600 590 000 (24/7).
- What happens next: MOHRE attempts mediation, commonly within about 14 days. For claims of AED 50,000 or less, MOHRE can issue a final, binding decision itself. Above that, if there’s no agreement, MOHRE refers the case to the Labour Court.
- Free zone employees: go through your free zone’s own mediation route first (for example JAFZA’s authority, or DIFC Courts), not directly to MOHRE.
How long do I have to file?
Two years. Article 54(9) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets a two-year limitation period, up from the one year that applied under the earlier rule. The clock generally runs from the date the entitlement fell due. For most disputes that’s the termination date, and for unpaid wages it’s the date each payment was due. Waiting doesn’t help your case even within the window: gathering evidence gets harder the longer you leave it, so file as soon as the dispute is clear rather than close to the deadline.
How do I file a MOHRE labour complaint?
- Log in to the MOHRE app or the eServices portal at mohre.gov.ae, using UAE Pass.
- Open Services for Employees, then Labour Complaint (or Individual Labour Complaint). Your employment details are usually filled in automatically from your labour card.
- Select your complaint type and state what happened, when it began, and what outcome you’re seeking. Be specific: a claim with a clear amount and dates is taken more seriously and processed faster than a vague one.
- Submit your supporting documents (see below) and confirm.
- Keep your complaint or transaction reference number, as you’ll need it for every follow-up call or status check.
If you’d rather talk it through first, call the Labour Claims and Advisory Centre on 80084; specialists there give free guidance before you file. You can also visit a Tas’heel service centre in person if you need help completing the form.
What documents do I need?
- Your employment contract, or its MOHRE-registered terms if they differ from what was verbally agreed
- Salary records or Wage Protection System (WPS) payment history, for wage disputes
- Your Emirates ID and passport
- Any written communication tied to the dispute, such as termination notice, emails, messages
- For an end-of-service claim: proof of your employment period and the basis for the benefit you believe is owed
Exact requirements vary by case, so confirm the list for your complaint type on mohre.gov.ae before you submit, especially if more than one issue is involved.
What happens after I file?
MOHRE contacts both you and your employer and attempts an amicable settlement, commonly within about 14 days. If you reach an agreement, MOHRE records it and closes the case. If not, what happens next depends on the claim amount: for AED 50,000 or less, MOHRE can issue a final, binding decision that carries the same enforcement weight as a court judgment. Above AED 50,000, MOHRE refers the case to the Labour Court, together with a memorandum summarising the dispute. Article 55 of the Labour Law also exempts workers from paying court fees on claims under AED 100,000, at every stage of litigation and enforcement.
If your case is referred to court, you generally need to register it with the court within 14 days of the referral, and confirm your work-permit status with MOHRE while the case is ongoing, as you may not be able to lawfully work for another employer until that’s resolved. Filing a genuine complaint is a protected right: dismissing someone for it is considered arbitrary dismissal under Article 47 of the Labour Law.
What can a labour complaint cover?
- Unpaid or delayed wages
- End-of-service gratuity and other benefits
- Arbitrary or unlawful dismissal
- Contract-term disputes
- Passport retention by an employer, which is itself unlawful
If your dispute is specifically about end-of-service pay, see our UAE end-of-service gratuity guide for how the amount is calculated before you file.
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