If your employer is withholding your salary, delaying your cancellation, or refusing to pay your end-of-service settlement, you can file an official labour complaint through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The UAE government provides a fast, digital system to help workers claim their legal rights without needing an expensive lawyer.
Guide Overview: Navigating UAE labor protections requires understanding official channels. Use this directory to skip to key elements of the dispute process:
- 4 Main Methods to File a Complaint Against an Employer Under UAE Law
- MOHRE Dispute Resolution: Required Document Checklist
- How to Trace Your MOHRE Case Progression & Timeline
- What Happens During MOHRE Mediation Channels
- Avoiding System Mistakes When Recovering Unpaid Salaries
4 Easy Ways to Submit Your Complaint Immediately
You do not need your employer's permission to start this process, and you do not need to visit an office if you prefer to do it online. Choose the method that is easiest for you:
1. Use the MOHRE Smart App
Download the official MOHRE app on your smartphone. Log in securely using your UAE Pass. Navigate to the "Services" tab, select "Register Labour Complaint," and fill out your workplace details.
2. File Online via the MOHRE Website
Visit the official ministry portal. You can log in as an employee using your Labour Card number or your passport details. Select the electronic dispute form to submit your claims directly to the system.
3. Call the Official Helpline
If you prefer speaking to an agent, dial 600590000. The customer care team speaks multiple languages and can log your grievance into the official system over the phone.
4. Visit a Physical Service Center
If you want a professional to type the application for you, go to a registered Tawjeeh or Tasheel center. Bring your Emirates ID and passport. Note that these physical centers charge a small admin typing fee, while the digital methods are completely free.
What Documents Do You Need to Prepare?
To make sure the ministry accepts your case quickly, gather your digital proof before submitting. Having clear documents stops your employer from denying your claims.
- Your formal UAE employment contract
- Your Emirates ID and passport copies
- Bank account statements showing the exact months you were not paid
- Written proof like WhatsApp chats, company emails, or memos about your pending money
- Your termination or resignation letter if you have left the company
What Happens After You File? (The Timeline)
Once your application is submitted, the system automatically starts a 14-day resolution window.
Complaint Submitted ➔ MOHRE Mediator Assigned ➔ Amicable Phone Meeting ➔ Settlement or Court Referral
The Mediation Phase
Within 3 to 5 working days, a legal mediator from MOHRE will call both you and your employer. This is an informal meeting conducted over the phone to fix the issue peacefully. The mediator will explain the law to your employer and ask them to pay your dues.
The Final Resolution
If your employer agrees to pay, a binding settlement agreement is signed. If the company refuses to pay or fails to join the call within 14 days, MOHRE will close the file and give you an official Court Referral Letter. This letter allows you to take the case to the UAE Labour Court safely. For claims under 50,000 AED, MOHRE can make a final binding decision themselves without sending you to court.
Real-World Case Study: Recovering an End-of-Service Settlement
To understand how the mediation framework acts as a defense against unlawful counter-claims, consider a common retail sector precedent. In this case, an expatriate professional resigned from an establishment in Abu Dhabi after completing 3 years of continuous employment. Management initiated visa cancellation procedures but withheld the final monetary clearance, citing sudden corporate budget deficits.
The worker fundamentally protected her legal positioning by refusing to sign the final declaration paper acknowledging receipt of all financial benefits. Instead, she logged into the official MOHRE digital application, appended her verified employment agreement, and formalized a claim for outstanding balances.
Within 4 business days of filing, an assigned MOHRE mediation officer arranged a joint telephonic session with both parties. The mediator advised management that withholding statutory dues post-cancellation constitutes a clear regulatory infraction. To avoid immediate escalation and judicial penalties, the employer transferred the full financial settlement directly to the worker's account, resulting in a successful case closure.
Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case
Many employees accidentally weaken their legal position because they do not know the specific regulatory rules. Avoid these four common mistakes:
- Signing Papers Before Receiving Cash: Never sign a document that says "I have received all my financial dues" if the money is not physically in your hand or cleared in your bank account. Once you sign, it becomes very difficult to prove you were not paid.
- Stopping Work Completely Without Telling MOHRE: If your company stops paying you, do not just stop showing up to work. If you stay home for more than 7 days without a valid reason, your employer can report you for absconding (running away), which is a serious labor violation. Keep working, or file your complaint immediately to protect your status.
- Waiting Too Long to File: Under UAE law, labor claims have a strict time limit. You must file your official dispute within 1 year from the date the money was originally owed to you.
- Accepting Verbal Promises: If your manager promises to pay you "next month," ask them to send that commitment in an email or a text message. Verbal promises hold no value during a government mediation.
Professional Tips for a Fast Resolution
- Know Your Exact Figures: Do not write a random amount on your claim form. Use tools to learn how to calculate gratuity in UAE accurately based on your basic salary and exact employment dates before you type the figures into the government portal.
- Keep Your Phone Active: The mediator will contact you via the phone number linked to your UAE Pass. If you miss their calls, they will close your file automatically, and you will have to restart the process.
- Check If Your Gratuity Was Ever Processed: If your employer claims they already calculated your end-of-service settlement but simply have not transferred it, read about what steps to take when your gratuity is not paid in the UAE to see how to force the payment through.
How This Fits Into Your Long-Term Workplace Protection
Filing a complaint is your emergency tool when things go wrong. However, the best way to protect your finances is to understand your employment rights before a dispute ever starts.
Knowing how your contract type, basic salary, and resignation terms change your final settlement keeps you safe from bad employers. To understand exactly how your final payout works under the modern labor laws, explore our comprehensive complete guide to UAE end-of-service benefits. This will help you identify contract errors early and protect your earnings.
If your employer continues to ignore the rules and you need to take formal legal action to get your money back, read our detailed breakdown on how to claim unpaid gratuity in the UAE to prepare for the court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a labor complaint if my visa is already cancelled?
Yes. You can file a complaint even after your visa is cancelled, provided you submit the claim within 1 year from the date your employment relationship ended.
What should I do if my employer keeps my passport?
It is illegal for an employer to hold your passport. If they refuse to give it back, you can immediately file a complaint with MOHRE or go to the nearest local police station to report the issue.
Can I get a new job while my labor case is still running?
Yes. If your case is delayed or your employer has not paid you for over 2 months, you can apply to MOHRE for a temporary work permit. This allows you to work for a new company while your dispute is being sorted out.
Will I get a labor ban if I file a case against my company?
No. You will never get a labor ban for claiming your legal rights, unpaid salaries, or contract benefits. Bans are only given to workers who break their contracts illegally or leave their jobs without notice.
Is there a cost to file a complaint through the online portal?
No, filing a dispute online or via the MOHRE smart app is 100% free for all employees. You only pay small administrative typing fees if you choose to visit a physical service center.