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How do I file a MOHRE complaint against my employer for unpaid salary?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 26, 2026·1 answers
An employee whose wages have not been paid for months wants the right channel to recover them.

This answer is AI-generated and editorially reviewed. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 26, 2026
File a labour complaint with MOHRE. It is the official route for private-sector wage disputes, and it covers both salary that was never paid and salary that was paid short. Gather your evidence first. You want your employment contract, your payslips, your Emirates ID, your work permit and employer details, and bank statements or Wage Protection System (WPS) records. The WPS records matter most, because they are official and traceable. They show what you should have received against what actually reached your account, and that comparison is what proves underpayment as well as outright non-payment. Then lodge the complaint. MOHRE takes wage complaints through its call centre, its smart app, its website, or an approved service centre. State clearly that this is an unpaid or short-paid wages dispute, and list each missed or reduced payment with its date and amount. What happens next: MOHRE registers the complaint and assigns a legal advisor, who contacts your employer and tries to resolve the dispute amicably and get the overdue wages paid. Persistent WPS breaches can also expose an employer to administrative consequences, which adds pressure to settle. If the employer still does not pay within the period MOHRE allows, the case is referred to the competent labour court. The court can issue a binding decision ordering payment of what you are owed, and that decision can be enforced through the execution court. Act promptly. Wage claims can be subject to time limits, so do not wait for an employer to catch up. Keep documenting every missed or short payment with dates and amounts while the case runs. Use only MOHRE's official contact channels, and avoid sharing sensitive documents with unofficial intermediaries. If you want help preparing the complaint and organising your evidence, you can compare verified UAE employment lawyers on LEXAI who handle wage disputes. Confirm the current steps through MOHRE.
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