If your employer has not paid your salary, withheld benefits, failed to follow your contract, or violated UAE labour rules, you may file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, or MOHRE.
MOHRE first reviews labour disputes and tries to settle them between the worker and employer.
If the dispute cannot be settled, MOHRE may issue a decision or refer the case to court, depending on the amount involved.
When Can You File a Labour Complaint?
A complaint may be filed when either the worker or employer fails to meet obligations under the employment contract or UAE labour law.
Common complaints include:
- unpaid or delayed salary
- unpaid gratuity or final settlement
- improper salary deductions
- unpaid overtime
- leave disputes
- contract violations
- other employment-related rights
Under current complaint rules, workers should generally submit the complaint within 30 days of the violation or breach.
For labour advice, workers may call MOHRE’s Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre at 80084.
How to File a Labour Complaint
Private-sector workers can file through official MOHRE channels.
Call 80084
The toll-free 80084 number is dedicated to labour complaints and legal guidance.
Workers can explain the issue and receive instructions on what to do next.
Use the MOHRE Website or App
Workers may also submit a complaint through the official MOHRE website or the MOHRE UAE mobile app.
Prepare documents related to your case, such as:
- employment contract
- Emirates ID
- work permit details
- salary records or bank statements
- payslips
- relevant messages or emails
- final settlement details
Only submit documents that directly support your complaint.
What Happens After You File?
MOHRE will review the complaint and contact both parties in an attempt to settle the dispute.
The Ministry should take the necessary steps to resolve the complaint within 14 days from the date it is filed.
What happens next depends on the claim amount.
Claims Below AED 50,000
MOHRE may issue a final decision if the value of the claim is below AED 50,000.
MOHRE may also issue a final decision when both sides reach an amicable settlement, regardless of the amount.
Claims Above AED 50,000
If the claim exceeds AED 50,000 and no settlement is reached, the case may be referred to the competent labour court.
What If the Case Goes to Court?
If MOHRE refers the complaint to court, the worker should follow the referral instructions carefully.
The worker must register the case with the competent court within 14 days from the date of referral approval.
The UAE government also states that workers with claims below AED 100,000 are exempt from judicial fees for the labour case.
How to Track Your Labour Complaint
Keep your complaint or transaction reference number after filing.
You can follow up through:
- MOHRE website
- MOHRE UAE mobile app
- MOHRE Call Centre: 600 590 000
- Labour Claims and Advisory Centre: 80084
MOHRE also lists 600 590 000 for WhatsApp support and ask@mohre.gov.ae for email enquiries.
Important Deadlines to Remember
Workers should act quickly when a dispute starts.
Two deadlines are especially important:
30 days: A labour complaint should generally be filed within 30 days of the breach.
1 year: Labour claims are generally not heard after one year from the date the right became due or the violation occurred.
These are different rules, so workers should not wait until the one-year limit before raising a complaint.
What If Your Employer Has Not Paid Your Final Dues?
When employment ends, an employer must generally pay outstanding wages and other end-of-service entitlements within 14 days.
If your salary, gratuity or other dues remain unpaid, you may raise the issue with MOHRE.
Can You Work Elsewhere While the Case Is Ongoing?
In some cases, workers involved in an active labour dispute may apply for a temporary work permit with another employer.
However, this depends on the circumstances of the case, and some workers may not qualify.
Check with MOHRE before starting work for another employer.
What About Domestic Workers?
Domestic workers follow a separate legal framework and complaint process.
MOHRE also handles domestic-worker complaints, but the procedures may differ from standard private-sector cases.
Domestic workers may also contact MOHRE through 80084 for guidance.
What to Prepare Before Filing
Before submitting a complaint, organize the facts of your case.
Prepare:
- your employment contract
- Emirates ID and work permit details
- salary or bank records
- written messages or emails
- records of unpaid salary, leave, overtime or final dues
- a clear timeline of what happened
The clearer your records are, the easier it will be to explain the complaint.
MOHRE Contact Details
Labour Claims and Advisory Centre: 80084
MOHRE Call Centre: 600 590 000
WhatsApp: 600 590 000
Email: ask@mohre.gov.ae
International Call Centre: +971 6 803 4000
What UAE Workers Should Know
If you have a workplace dispute, document the issue and contact MOHRE as soon as possible.
The current process allows MOHRE to decide some claims below AED 50,000 directly, while larger unresolved disputes may be referred to court.
Keep your complaint number, monitor the case, and follow any deadline given by MOHRE or the court.
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