How to File a Labour Complaint with MOHRE: Step-by-Step UAE Guide

If you are a private-sector employee in the UAE and your employer has not paid your salary, refused your end-of-service gratuity, or terminated you unfairly, you can file a free labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This guide explains who can file, how to file through MOHRE's official channels, what evidence to bring, how amicable settlement works, and what happens if your case is referred onward to the Labour Court.

Direct answer. Yes — any worker under a MOHRE-registered private-sector contract can file a labour complaint for free, in any of MOHRE's official channels, under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Employment Law). The complaint first enters an amicable-settlement stage handled by MOHRE; if no settlement is reached, MOHRE issues a referral letter that lets the employee file the dispute with the competent Labour Court. The rest of this article covers (1) who is in scope, (2) the four official filing channels, and (3) what to do after filing.

Who can file an MOHRE labour complaint

MOHRE's labour-complaint service is for workers whose employment relationship sits under federal labour jurisdiction — i.e., private-sector employees on a MOHRE-registered employment contract. That includes mainland companies and most free zones that have delegated labour oversight to MOHRE.

The complaint service does not cover:

• [DIFC](/dictionary/difc) and [ADGM](/dictionary/adgm) employees — their employment disputes are governed by the DIFC Employment Law and the ADGM Employment Regulations, with their own dispute channels and courts.
• Federal and local government employees — these workers fall under separate civil-service regimes.
• Domestic workers — handled under the separate "Tadbeer" framework for domestic-worker disputes.

If you are unsure which regime applies to you, your offer letter and contract will state the governing authority. When in doubt, MOHRE's call centre can confirm jurisdiction before you file.

When to file: the trigger events

Most MOHRE labour complaints fall into a small set of recurring scenarios. Filing is appropriate when the employer has:

• Failed to pay salary on time or paid less than the contract states.
• Refused or short-paid end-of-service gratuity after the contract ends.
• Terminated the employee without a lawful ground recognised under the UAE Employment Law.
• Pressured the employee into resigning to avoid paying entitlements.
• Withheld leave pay, overtime, or amounts owed in the final settlement.
• Failed to maintain a safe workplace or to address harassment formally raised in writing.

Acting promptly matters. Wage and end-of-service entitlements under the UAE Employment Law are subject to a statutory limitation period of one year from the date the right to claim arose, under Article 54 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, after which a claim may be barred. If you are close to that window, file the complaint first and gather supplementary evidence afterwards.

Evidence to gather before you file

A well-evidenced complaint moves faster through the amicable-settlement stage because the MOHRE mediator can immediately see the gap between what the contract promised and what the employer actually did. Before opening the case, collect:

• A copy of the MOHRE-registered employment contract (the version on file with the ministry — not a side letter).
• [WPS](/dictionary/wps) salary records for the last six to twelve months, showing the salary credit pattern from the employer's bank.
• The [resignation](/dictionary/resignation) or termination letter, including the date served.
• Written communications with the employer — emails, WhatsApp messages, HR portal screenshots — that reference the unpaid amounts or the disputed event.
• Bank statements highlighting missed or short transfers.
• Any prior internal [grievance](/dictionary/grievance-tazallum), mediation attempt, or HR escalation in writing.
• A copy of your [Emirates ID](/dictionary/emirates-id) and passport bio page.

If you have any document only in Arabic or only in English, keep both versions if possible. MOHRE accepts complaints in either language.

The four official MOHRE complaint channels

MOHRE operates four channels for filing a labour complaint. All four feed into the same case-management system, so you only file once.

1. MOHRE smart application — the "MOHRE" app on iOS and Android. This is the most common route because you can attach evidence directly and track the case file in real time.
2. MOHRE call centre — dial the MOHRE contact number listed on mohre.gov.ae. An agent opens the case on your behalf and emails you the reference number.
3. MOHRE Tas'heel service centres — in-person typing centres authorised to lodge labour complaints. Bring originals and copies of the evidence above.
4. MOHRE website — the e-services portal at mohre.gov.ae, where you log in with UAE Pass, complete the complaint form, and upload attachments.

Filing the complaint itself is free through any of these channels. You do not need a lawyer to open the file. You will, however, want one if the case escalates to court (covered below).

What happens after you file: the amicable-settlement stage

Once a complaint is registered, the case enters MOHRE's amicable-settlement stage. A labour relations specialist contacts the employer (and you) to schedule a tripartite discussion. The aim is to resolve the dispute without litigation.

Typical flow:

• Initial intake review — MOHRE checks that the complaint falls within its jurisdiction and that the contract is valid.
• Employer notification — the employer is contacted and asked to respond.
• Mediation meeting — held in person at a MOHRE office or virtually. Both sides present their evidence; the mediator proposes terms.
• Settlement — if both sides agree, the terms are recorded and become binding. Payments routed through the employer's WPS account go to the employee's bank.
• No settlement — if the parties cannot agree, MOHRE issues a written referral letter that allows the employee to file the dispute with the competent Labour Court.

Keep the case reference number from MOHRE. You will need it for any follow-up call, any escalation, and the court filing later. Avoid discussing the case on social media while mediation is in progress — public posts can be raised against you by the employer's counsel.

Moving from MOHRE to the Labour Court

If the amicable stage fails, MOHRE's referral letter is your gateway to the Labour Court. The letter has a defined validity period, so file with the court promptly.

What changes when you cross into the court:

• The matter is now litigation, with formal pleadings, evidence rules and hearings.
• Court fees may apply on claims of AED 100,000 or more; claims below AED 100,000 are exempt from first-instance court fees under Article 54 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
• You can — and most people should — instruct a UAE-licensed labour lawyer to draft the statement of claim and represent you at the hearing.

If the dispute affects your residency status — for example, an employer who cancels your visa while the complaint is pending — you should understand the parallel timelines before they catch you out.

Common mistakes that get complaints dismissed

A surprising share of labour complaints fail not on the merits but on simple procedural errors. The most common are:

• Filing after the limitation period has expired. Once the statutory window closes, the claim can be time-barred one year after the right to claim arose, under Article 54 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
• Not having a MOHRE-registered contract. If the employer never registered the contract, MOHRE may decline jurisdiction. The fix is usually a parallel complaint to the relevant licensing authority.
• Resigning under pressure without preserving evidence. A "voluntary" resignation that the employer engineered can be reframed in mediation only if you kept the written record.
• Ignoring the MOHRE referral letter window. Letting the referral letter expire forces you to restart the process.
• Posting the dispute on social media during mediation, which the employer can raise as bad-faith conduct.

What if you are already outside the UAE?

Workers who have already left the country can still file. You will need a [power of attorney](/dictionary/power-of-attorney) (POA) to a UAE-licensed labour lawyer so they can represent you locally, sign documents on your behalf, and attend any in-person mediation or court hearing. Some MOHRE channels allow remote filing through the smart app provided you can log in with UAE Pass.

If you no longer have UAE Pass access, the lawyer holding your POA can open the file in person at a Tas'heel centre. Use the LEXAI lawyer directory to find a labour-law specialist who handles cross-border employment matters.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an MOHRE labour complaint take to resolve?

Most MOHRE labour complaints conclude in the amicable-settlement stage within a few weeks of filing, depending on employer responsiveness, the volume of evidence, and the complexity of the calculation. If the matter escalates to the Labour Court, the timeline lengthens significantly — first-instance hearings typically run over several months. The fastest route is to come into the mediation with complete documentation so MOHRE can quantify the gap on day one.

Is filing an MOHRE labour complaint free?

Yes — opening a labour complaint with MOHRE is free across all four channels (smart app, call centre, Tas'heel service centres, and the e-services portal). You only incur costs if you choose to instruct a lawyer or if the dispute is later escalated to the Labour Court, where court fees may apply depending on the claim value. Claims below AED 100,000 are exempt from first-instance court fees under Article 54 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.

Can I file an MOHRE labour complaint after leaving the UAE?

Yes. Workers who have left the country can still file, typically by granting a power of attorney to a UAE-licensed labour lawyer who opens the file on their behalf and represents them at mediation and any subsequent court hearing. Some elements of the MOHRE smart app remain accessible from abroad if you have UAE Pass. Acting before the statutory limitation period expires is critical, regardless of where you are.

What happens if my employer ignores the MOHRE complaint?

If the employer fails to engage during the amicable-settlement stage, MOHRE concludes that mediation has not produced a result and issues a referral letter authorising you to file the dispute with the competent Labour Court. The employer's non-cooperation does not benefit them — once the case is in court, the judge can decide on the documentary record, and unexplained absence weakens the employer's position.

Do I need a lawyer to file an MOHRE complaint?

No. The MOHRE complaint itself can be filed and pursued through mediation without a lawyer — the channels are designed to be employee-accessible. A lawyer becomes valuable when (a) the calculation is complex (overtime, commissions, multi-year gratuity), (b) the employer disputes the underlying facts, or (c) the case is heading to the Labour Court, where formal pleadings and procedural rules apply.

What documents do I need to file an MOHRE complaint?

At minimum, you need your MOHRE-registered employment contract, Emirates ID, passport bio page, WPS salary records for the recent months, and any termination or resignation letter. Supporting evidence — written communications with the employer, bank statements, and prior grievances in writing — makes the mediator's job substantially easier and shortens the path to settlement.

Can I file an MOHRE complaint anonymously?

No. A labour complaint must be tied to your contract, your Emirates ID, and your case file so that MOHRE can verify jurisdiction, calculate amounts owed, and route any settlement payment through the WPS. Anonymous tips about workplace conduct (for example, unsafe conditions) can be raised separately through MOHRE's reporting channels, but those are not the same as opening a personal labour-entitlement claim.

What is the time limit to file an MOHRE labour complaint?

Wage and end-of-service entitlements under the UAE Employment Law are subject to a statutory limitation period running from the date the entitlement became due. That period is one year, under Article 54 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. If you are close to the window, file first and supplement evidence later — once the limitation expires, the claim is generally barred.

Next step

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, or you want a UAE labour lawyer to review the file before MOHRE escalates it, browse the verified UAE labour lawyers on LEXAI by emirate and language. You can also send your question to the free LEXAI legal AI assistant for a first read on the procedural path before you commit to a lawyer.

This is general legal information, not legal advice. Confirm current procedure with the relevant authority or a licensed UAE lawyer.