How to File a MOHRE Complaint in UAE 2026: Process, Documents & Complaint Status

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Table of Contents

• What Is a MOHRE Labour Complaint?
• What Are the Grounds For Filing a MOHRE Complaint?
• Who Can File a MOHRE Complaint?
• How Long Do You Have to File a MOHRE Complaint?
• What Should You Prepare Before Filing?
• How to File a MOHRE Complaint Online: Step-by-Step
• What Happens After You File a MOHRE Complaint?
• Can You Challenge a MOHRE Decision?
• How to Check Your MOHRE Complaint Status
• What If Your Employer Asks You to Withdraw the Complaint?
• Can Your Employer Terminate You for Filing a MOHRE Complaint?
• Common Mistakes When Filing a MOHRE Complaint
• When Should You Speak to a Labour Lawyer?
• MOHRE Complaint FAQs
• Need Help With a MOHRE Complaint?

If your employer has not paid your salary, withheld your final settlement, made unlawful deductions, breached your employment contract, or failed to meet another employment obligation, you can file a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

The MOHRE complaint process is designed to resolve employment disputes before they reach court. However, employees should file the correct claim, provide supporting evidence, calculate any money being claimed, and understand what happens after the complaint is submitted.

This guide explains how to file a MOHRE complaint in the UAE step by step, what documents to prepare, how long the process takes, how to check your complaint status, and when the dispute moves to the Labour Court.

What Is a MOHRE Labour Complaint?

A MOHRE labour complaint is a formal dispute raised by an employee or employer concerning a breach of an employment contract, the UAE Labour Law, its Executive Regulations, or the employment obligations applicable to the parties.

MOHRE first examines the complaint and attempts to resolve the dispute amicably. If settlement is not reached, MOHRE either issues a decision itself or refers the dispute to the competent Labour Court, depending on the value and circumstances of the claim.

Employees dealing with substantial unpaid dues, termination disputes, or complex employment issues can also seek advice from UAE labour and employment lawyers before accepting a settlement or escalating the case.

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What Are the Grounds For Filing a MOHRE Complaint?

A MOHRE complaint can cover several breaches of legal or contractual employment obligations. Common complaints include:

• Unpaid or delayed salaries;
• Unpaid end-of-service gratuity;
• Delayed final settlement;
• Unpaid annual leave or leave salary;
• Notice-period disputes;
• Unlawful deductions from salary;
• Overtime disputes;
• Breach of an employment contract;
• Termination disputes;
• Unlawful termination after filing an official complaint;
• Work permit or cancellation-related issues;
• Unpaid commission or contractual incentives; and
• Other employment rights arising under UAE Labour Law.

When filing the complaint, describe the actual breach rather than using general wording such as “my employer treated me unfairly.” State what happened, when it happened, what amount is outstanding, and what outcome you are seeking.

Who Can File a MOHRE Complaint?

Employees and employers covered by the UAE federal private-sector labour framework can register labour complaints with MOHRE.

Before filing, confirm that MOHRE is the correct authority for your employment relationship. Employees working under separate employment jurisdictions, such as the DIFC or ADGM, follow the dispute procedure applicable to that jurisdiction.

Domestic worker complaints also follow a dedicated MOHRE complaint route and should not be filed as an ordinary private-sector labour complaint.

How Long Do You Have to File a MOHRE Complaint?

Ministerial Resolution No. 782 of 2023 states that an individual labour complaint can be submitted within 30 days of either party breaching its contractual or legal obligations.

Employees should therefore file promptly once it becomes clear that the employer will not resolve the problem.

This 30-day complaint period should not be confused with the separate limitation period for bringing employment rights claims. Under the current UAE Labour Law, a case concerning rights arising from the employment relationship is not heard after two years from the date the employment relationship ends.

In practical terms, do not wait for the longer limitation period. File the MOHRE complaint as soon as the breach occurs and preserve the evidence while it is still available.

What Should You Prepare Before Filing?

Before opening the complaint portal, work out exactly what you are claiming.

For a monetary claim, prepare a simple breakdown such as:

• Unpaid salary: AED 12,000;
• End-of-service gratuity: AED 8,500;
• Unused annual leave: AED 3,000;
• Notice-period compensation: AED 5,000; and
• Unpaid commission: AED 4,000.

Do not submit one unexplained total if several employment entitlements are involved. A clear breakdown helps MOHRE assess your claim and determine the applicable procedure. Under UAE Labour Law, MOHRE can issue an enforceable decision for individual labour claims of AED 50,000 or less. If the claim exceeds AED 50,000 and no settlement is reached, MOHRE refers the dispute to the competent Labour Court.

How to File a MOHRE Complaint Online: Step-by-Step

MOHRE accepts labour complaints through its website, mobile application, and the Labour Claims and Advisory Centre on 80084. The complaint service itself is free.

Step 1: Open the MOHRE Labour Complaint Service

Go to the official MOHRE website or open the MOHRE UAE mobile application and locate the service for registering a private-sector labour complaint.

Make sure you are using the dedicated labour complaint procedure. A complaint about your employer is different from a general customer complaint or technical-support request submitted to MOHRE.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

The online complaint system first asks the employee to verify their identity details.

Enter your Emirates ID details and provide the mobile number requested by the system. MOHRE sends an OTP to that mobile number so you can complete the verification and continue with the complaint.

The portal then asks you to identify the complainant type, such as:

• Employee;
• Employer; or
• Authorised representative/PRO.

If you are filing your own employment complaint, select Employee.

Step 3: Select “Labour Complaint”

The complaint system distinguishes between a regular labour complaint and a domestic worker complaint.

Private-sector employees should select Labour Complaint. Do not select the domestic worker route unless your employment falls under the domestic workers legal framework.

Step 4: Enter Your Employment Details

Keep your work permit details available before starting the application.

MOHRE’s complaint system can identify workers through employment information such as the personal code or work permit number. MOHRE’s service guidance identifies the electronic work permit number as a key item for registration.

If an electronic work permit number is unavailable, prepare documents that prove the employment relationship.

Check that the employer name, employment details, dates, and salary information are correct before proceeding.

Step 5: Choose the Complaint and Explain the Breach

Enter the employment issue you want MOHRE to resolve.

Your explanation should be specific. For example:

Weak: “The company has not treated me properly.”

Better: “My employment ended on 31 August 2026. My employer has not paid AED 9,500 in outstanding salary and AED 6,200 in end-of-service gratuity despite repeated written requests.”

If you have several claims, identify each one separately and state the amount claimed.

Step 6: Prepare Supporting Documents

The evidence depends on the type of complaint. Useful documents can include:

• MOHRE employment contract;
• Offer letter;
• Work permit details;
• Passport and Emirates ID;
• Salary slips;
• WPS records;
• Bank statements showing missing salary payments;
• Resignation letter;
• Termination letter;
• Warning or disciplinary notices;
• Annual leave records;
• Final settlement calculation;
• Commission or incentive records;
• Emails with HR or management;
• Relevant WhatsApp conversations; and
• Other records directly supporting the complaint.

Keep the original documents and conversations. Do not alter screenshots, messages, payment records, or employment documents.

Step 7: Check the Claim Before Submission

Before submitting, review:

• The employer’s details;
• Your employment details;
• The type of complaint;
• The dates of the breach;
• Each amount claimed; and
• The evidence supporting the claim.

Correct factual errors before submission rather than trying to explain them later during the dispute process.

Step 8: Submit and Keep Your Complaint Reference Number

After registration, keep the MOHRE complaint reference number provided for the case.

This number is important for tracking the complaint, communicating with MOHRE, and following any further instructions issued during the dispute.

What Happens After You File a MOHRE Complaint?

MOHRE investigates the dispute and contacts the parties remotely to attempt an amicable settlement.

Under the current individual labour complaint procedure, the Ministry must resolve the complaint within 14 days of submission through settlement, a final MOHRE decision, or referral for judicial action.

The complaint normally follows one of three routes.

1. Employee and Employer Reach a Settlement

If both parties agree on a resolution, the dispute can be concluded without Labour Court proceedings.

Before accepting a settlement, check:

• The exact amount the employer will pay;
• The payment deadline;
• Whether the employment or work permit will be cancelled;
• Whether any other action must be completed; and
• Whether the settlement states that you have received all employment dues.

Do not sign a statement confirming that money has already been received if payment has not actually reached you.

2. MOHRE Decides Claims of AED 50,000 or Less

If settlement fails and the value of the individual labour claim does not exceed AED 50,000, MOHRE resolves the dispute by issuing a decision.

The Ministry also has authority to decide a dispute involving failure to comply with an earlier amicable settlement issued through MOHRE, regardless of the value of the claim.

A qualifying MOHRE decision has the force of an executive instrument.

3. MOHRE Refers Other Unresolved Claims to the Labour Court

If the dispute is not settled and it does not fall within MOHRE’s AED 50,000 decision jurisdiction, the Ministry refers the dispute to the competent Labour Court with a memorandum summarising the dispute, the parties’ arguments, and the Ministry’s recommendation.

If your complaint reaches this stage, read our guide on how to file a case against an employer in the UAE Labour Court so you understand what happens after MOHRE referral.

Can You Challenge a MOHRE Decision?

Yes.

If MOHRE issues a decision under its jurisdiction for an individual labour dispute, either party can bring the dispute before the competent Court of First Instance within 15 working days from notification of the MOHRE decision.

The Court of First Instance sets a hearing within three working days of filing and must decide the challenge within 30 working days. The judgment issued under this procedure is final.

This point is important because older online articles may still describe a different appeal route. For current disputes, the challenge goes to the competent Court of First Instance under the present Article 54 procedure.

How to Check Your MOHRE Complaint Status

Keep your complaint or transaction reference number after filing.

You can follow your MOHRE complaint through the Ministry’s digital and communication channels, including:

• MOHRE website: use the Ministry’s enquiry services to check application or transaction information;
• MOHRE UAE mobile app: sign in and follow the relevant complaint or service request;
• MOHRE Call Centre: call 600590000 for general MOHRE enquiries;
• Labour Claims and Advisory Centre: call 80084 for labour claims and legal guidance; and
• MOHRE notifications: monitor SMS messages and other notifications sent during the complaint process.

When contacting MOHRE, have your Emirates ID and complaint reference number ready.

What If Your Employer Asks You to Withdraw the Complaint?

An employer can offer to settle the dispute after a MOHRE complaint has been filed. The important issue is whether the settlement actually protects your outstanding rights.

Before withdrawing a complaint, confirm in writing:

• How much will be paid;
• When payment or payments will be made;
• What happens to your work permit or visa cancellation;
• Whether you are releasing any additional claims; and
• Whether the settlement fully resolves the dispute.

Employees should be particularly careful where an employer makes visa or work-permit cancellation conditional on withdrawing the labour complaint. Our guide on visa cancellation after a MOHRE complaint explains this situation in more detail.

Can Your Employer Terminate You for Filing a MOHRE Complaint?

UAE Labour Law contains specific protection against termination because an employee submitted an official complaint to MOHRE or brought a valid claim against the employer where the complaint or lawsuit is proven to be valid.

If termination is found to be unlawful for this reason, the competent court can award compensation of up to three months’ wages, taking into account the nature of the work, the damage suffered, and the employee’s length of service.

This compensation does not remove the employee’s entitlement to other amounts due, such as notice pay or end-of-service benefits.

Common Mistakes When Filing a MOHRE Complaint

• Waiting too long: MOHRE’s individual complaint procedure requires filing within 30 days of the breach.
• Not calculating the claim: State the amount being claimed and explain each component.
• Giving only a general complaint: Identify the contractual or legal obligation that was breached.
• Relying entirely on verbal conversations: Keep emails, messages, payment records, and other written evidence.
• Losing access to company records: Preserve your lawful employment records before company-system access is removed.
• Signing a final settlement without checking it: Read any acknowledgment of payment carefully.
• Ignoring MOHRE notifications: Respond to calls, messages, and instructions concerning the complaint.
• Missing a court deadline: If MOHRE issues a decision or makes a referral, act within the applicable deadline.

When Should You Speak to a Labour Lawyer?

A straightforward unpaid-salary complaint can often be handled directly through the MOHRE complaint process.

Legal advice becomes more important where the dispute involves substantial unpaid amounts, senior employment contracts, commission disputes, termination, retaliation after a complaint, complex gratuity calculations, restrictive clauses, multiple employment claims, or Labour Court proceedings.

A labour lawyer can review the employment contract and evidence, calculate the claim, assess settlement terms, identify weaknesses before filing, and advise on whether a MOHRE decision should be challenged.

Need Legal Help?

Dubai's Expert Advice at Your Fingertips.

+971 52 8209861

CONTACT NOW

Need Help With a MOHRE Complaint?

A strong MOHRE complaint clearly identifies the employment breach, the amount being claimed, and the evidence supporting the employee’s position. Preparing these points correctly becomes even more important when the dispute involves a significant final settlement or is likely to proceed to the Labour Court.

HHS Lawyers & Legal Consultants assists employees and employers with MOHRE disputes, unpaid salaries, gratuity and final settlements, termination claims, contractual disputes, work-permit issues, and Labour Court proceedings across the UAE.

Speak to a Labour Lawyer