If your UAE employer has not paid your salary, withheld contractual dues, refused to deal with a work permit issue, or breached your employment contract, you may be able to file a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
For standard private-sector workers registered with MOHRE, the complaint service is currently free, and MOHRE lists a standard service completion period of 14 working days. You can start through the official MOHRE website, the MOHRE mobile app, or the Labour Claims and Advisory Center on 80084.
The most important step is not simply pressing "submit". Prepare a clear claim, keep documents that support it, use the correct complaint route, answer MOHRE calls, and do not assume that filing a labour complaint automatically fixes your work permit, residence visa, or immigration status.
This guide walks you through the process from first evidence to settlement, MOHRE decision, or court referral.
Quick Answer
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Who handles most UAE private-sector labour complaints? | MOHRE |
| How can I file? | MOHRE website, MOHRE app, or Labour Claims and Advisory Center on 80084 |
| Is the standard private-sector labour complaint service free? | Yes. MOHRE currently lists no service fee. |
| How long does MOHRE list for the service? | 14 working days |
| What should I prepare? | Emirates ID, passport and work details, plus evidence supporting your claim where available |
| Will MOHRE contact the employer? | Normally yes. MOHRE reviews the complaint and seeks an amicable settlement. |
| What happens if settlement fails? | The next step depends on the value and type of claim. MOHRE may issue a decision in qualifying claims or refer the dispute to court. |
| Can I complain about unpaid salary? | Yes. A regular labour complaint may be used for wage claims, and MOHRE also has a separate confidential salary complaint service for reporting delayed wages. |
| Does a complaint cancel my visa? | No. Labour complaint, work permit, and immigration status are connected but separate processes. |
| Is every UAE worker under the same MOHRE complaint route? | No. Domestic workers, some free-zone workers, and government-sector workers may follow different procedures. |
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is mainly for employees working for private-sector establishments registered with MOHRE.
Typical situations include:
- salary not paid or repeatedly delayed
- end-of-service dues not paid
- annual leave pay or other contractual dues disputed
- notice-period payments disputed
- employer refusing to complete a work permit or cancellation step
- contract terms not matching what is being applied at work
- employer and worker disagreeing about termination
- worker wants to raise a contractual claim after leaving the job
- employment relationship has broken down and both sides cannot settle directly
- worker needs an official complaint reference before the matter can move further
The standard MOHRE complaint service states that the employee must be registered in the Ministry's database.
If you work under family sponsorship, your residence arrangement and your employment relationship are separate issues. Our UAE family visa salary requirement guide explains the family sponsorship side, but a labour dispute should still be handled through the authority responsible for your employment record.
If you hold long-term residence independently of your employer, such as a Golden Visa, do not assume that this removes the need to follow employment and work permit rules. Our UAE Golden Visa eligibility guide for Pakistani and Indian professionals explains the residence route, while MOHRE remains the key authority for covered private-sector employment matters.
First Check: Is MOHRE the Correct Authority for Your Complaint?
Before filing, identify who regulates your employment.
Standard private-sector employee
If your work permit and employment record are registered with MOHRE, the standard Register Labour Complaints - Private Sector Employees service is normally the correct starting point.
Official service: MOHRE Register Labour Complaints - Private Sector Employees
Domestic worker
Domestic workers have a separate complaint framework. Do not use a normal company-worker complaint route simply because both are on the MOHRE website.
If your dispute concerns domestic work, use MOHRE's domestic-worker channels and verify the current service for your situation.
Our UAE domestic worker visa guide for sponsoring from Pakistan and India explains the sponsorship framework, but complaint handling should be done through the current MOHRE domestic-worker process.
Free-zone worker
Some free-zone workers are not handled in exactly the same way as workers registered directly in the standard MOHRE system.
MOHRE has an official service for Free Zone Establishments and Similar Organizations: Complaints. Its service card states that referral documentation from the authority that issued the work permit, or relevant worker data, may be required depending on the case.
Official service: MOHRE Free Zone Establishments and Similar Organizations Complaints
If you work in a free zone, contact the free-zone authority and MOHRE before assuming the standard private-sector complaint form is the correct route.
Government employee
Federal or local government employment disputes can follow different rules and complaint channels.
If you are employed by a government entity, confirm the competent human resources or judicial process rather than relying on a private-sector MOHRE guide.
When Should You File a MOHRE Complaint?
MOHRE's worker guidance says an employee can submit a labour complaint when the employer breaches legal or contractual obligations, and it advises filing within 30 days of the breach.
Do not wait for months while relying only on verbal promises.
If the problem can be resolved safely and clearly in writing, you may first ask the employer or HR department to correct it. But you do not need to keep repeating informal requests indefinitely when wages or important employment rights are at issue.
Useful reasons to move from an informal discussion to an official complaint include:
- salary remains unpaid after repeated requests
- employer refuses to provide a clear answer in writing
- HR promises payment dates that keep passing
- employer disputes a contractual entitlement
- cancellation or work permit action is being delayed
- you are being asked to sign documents that do not match what happened
- the company has stopped responding
- you need an official record of the dispute
If more than 30 days have already passed, do not assume you have automatically lost every possible route. Contact MOHRE immediately and ask how the current rules apply to your case.
Common Types of MOHRE Labour Complaints
A labour complaint should describe the actual breach, not simply say "my company is bad".
The stronger approach is to identify the specific issue.
Unpaid or delayed salary
This is one of the most common reasons workers contact MOHRE.
Useful evidence may include your labour contract, bank statement, Wage Protection System-related records available to you, payslips, salary messages, and written communication with the employer.
MOHRE also offers a separate My Salary Complaint - Private Sector Employees service. MOHRE describes this as a confidential complaint for reporting an establishment that has not paid wages on time without disclosing the complainant's identity to the employer.
Official service: MOHRE My Salary Complaint - Private Sector Employees
That service is not the same thing as every individual monetary claim. If you specifically want unpaid amounts recovered as part of a labour dispute, ask MOHRE whether you should file the standard labour complaint, the salary complaint, or another service for your situation.
End-of-service and final settlement dispute
You may have a dispute over final wages, accrued leave, end-of-service benefits, notice amounts, or other contractual payments after employment ends.
Do not sign a document saying you received all dues if you have not received them or do not understand what the document says.
Keep the termination or resignation record, contract, salary evidence, leave records where available, and the employer's final settlement calculation.
Contract breach
A complaint may relate to an employer or employee allegedly failing to meet obligations stated in the employment relationship.
MOHRE's standard complaint service is specifically described as a service for employers and employees to register claims where one party breaches contractual obligations.
Work permit or cancellation problem
Labour complaints can also become connected with work permit cancellation.
If the employment relationship has ended but your permit remains active, ask MOHRE what complaint or cancellation route applies.
MOHRE also has a dedicated Cancellation of Work Permit for an Employee With a Labour Court Case service for qualifying cases that have already moved to court.
Official service: MOHRE Cancellation of Work Permit for an Employee With a Labour Court Case
Absence-from-work or "absconding" dispute
MOHRE now uses the formal absence-from-work complaint process.
If an employer has filed an absence-from-work complaint and you believe it is incorrect, do not treat it as a normal salary complaint.
MOHRE has a separate Cancellation of an Absence from Work Complaint service that may be used by a party to the employment relationship where the service conditions are met.
Official service: MOHRE Cancellation of an Absence from Work Complaint
Documents and Evidence to Prepare
MOHRE's standard complaint service says supporting documents should be provided where available. Examples include resignation or dismissal documents.
For a practical complaint, prepare more than the minimum if the evidence exists.
Do not upload hundreds of unrelated screenshots.
A smaller set of documents that clearly proves the dates, amount, and issue can be more useful than a folder full of messages with no explanation.
Before You File: Write a One-Page Complaint Summary
This simple step can make the whole process easier.
Write down:
- your full name and employer
- job title and employment start date
- what happened
- when the breach happened
- what you already asked the employer to do
- what amount is unpaid, if money is involved
- what outcome you are requesting
For example, instead of writing:
"My employer cheated me and does not respect the law."
write something factual:
"My employment ended on [date]. I have not received the final salary and the amounts shown in the attached final settlement documents. I contacted HR on [dates]. I am requesting MOHRE to review the unpaid employment dues."
Keep the wording factual and avoid exaggeration.
MOHRE needs a dispute it can identify and investigate.
How to File a MOHRE Labour Complaint Step by Step
Step 1: Open the official complaint service
Use the official: MOHRE Register Labour Complaints - Private Sector Employees
You can also use the MOHRE mobile application.
If you prefer to speak to someone first, MOHRE lists the Labour Claims and Advisory Center on 80084.
The main MOHRE call centre is 600590000.
Official contact page: MOHRE Contact Us
MOHRE currently lists support in multiple languages, including Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Nepali, Malayalam, Pashto, Tamil, and English.
Step 2: Enter your identification and employment details
The service process may request information such as:
- passport number
- name
- date of birth
- nationality
- Emirates ID
- employer or establishment details
The official service card states that Emirates ID information is mandatory for the categories covered by the service.
Enter details exactly as they appear in the official record.
A spelling mismatch or wrong number can make it harder to match your complaint to your work file.
Step 3: Verify your identity
MOHRE may send an OTP by SMS or email to verify the person submitting the complaint.
Make sure your contact number is active.
If your number has changed since your employment record was created, be prepared to explain this through the support channel.
Step 4: Select the complaint and state your claim
Describe the issue clearly.
If the complaint is about money, separate the amounts where possible.
For example:
- unpaid salary
- leave pay
- notice payment
- end-of-service amount
- other contractual payment
Do not inflate a claim because you think MOHRE will negotiate it down.
Use documents and calculations you can explain.
Step 5: Upload supporting evidence
Attach the documents that directly support the claim.
A useful file name is better than IMG_4837.jpg.
Examples:
employment-contract.pdftermination-letter.pdfsalary-bank-statement.pdfhr-payment-email.pdffinal-settlement.pdf
If a document is in another language, ask MOHRE whether a translation is required for your stage of the case.
Step 6: Save the complaint reference number
Once the complaint is registered, keep:
- complaint number
- transaction number
- submission date
- screenshots or PDF confirmation
- any SMS received from MOHRE
Do not rely on memory.
If you later call 80084 or 600590000, the reference number makes it much easier to identify your file.
Step 7: Answer MOHRE calls
MOHRE's published process states that the competent employee reviews the complaint and contacts the complainant and respondent while seeking an amicable resolution.
Do not repeatedly ignore unknown UAE numbers after filing.
If you miss a call, follow up through the official complaint status or call centre rather than waiting indefinitely.
Step 8: Attend or participate in the complaint process
If MOHRE cannot resolve the matter during the initial contact, a further meeting or complaint appointment may be arranged.
Both sides should explain their position and provide evidence.
Stay focused on:
- contract
- dates
- amounts
- official records
- messages
- documents
- requested outcome
A complaint meeting is not improved by shouting or making threats.
What Happens After You File?
MOHRE's current service card lists a standard completion duration of 14 working days.
That does not mean every employment dispute is fully finished in 14 working days.
The complaint service itself may move through several outcomes.
Outcome 1: Amicable settlement
MOHRE first attempts to help the parties resolve the dispute.
If both sides agree, make sure you understand:
- the amount to be paid
- payment date
- cancellation or work permit action
- whether employment continues
- whether either side is giving up other claims
- what happens if the settlement is not followed
Do not agree to wording you do not understand simply because you want the call to end.
Outcome 2: MOHRE issues a decision
Under the current UAE labour dispute framework, MOHRE can issue a final decision in qualifying individual disputes where the claim value does not exceed AED 50,000, and in certain disputes concerning non-compliance with an earlier amicable settlement.
The decision can have executive force under the applicable law.
Official legal source: UAE Legislation - Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regulating Labour Relations
MOHRE also publishes: Ministerial Resolution No. 782 of 2023 on Individual Labour Complaints
If you receive a formal decision, read the notice carefully because challenge or enforcement steps can have strict deadlines.
Outcome 3: The dispute goes to court
If an amicable settlement cannot be reached and the dispute falls outside MOHRE's final-decision route, the complaint may be referred to the competent court.
Current Article 54 of the UAE labour law provides the legal framework for referral and for challenging a qualifying MOHRE decision.
Do not rely on an old blog post for court deadlines.
Use the instructions attached to your actual MOHRE decision or referral and confirm the current procedure with MOHRE or the competent court immediately.
The AED 50,000 Rule Explained Simply
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the complaint system.
It does not mean that a worker can only file a complaint up to AED 50,000.
It affects what MOHRE can do when settlement fails.
| Claim situation | General current route |
|---|---|
| Parties settle amicably | Settlement can be concluded through the complaint process |
| Individual claim does not exceed AED 50,000 | MOHRE can issue a qualifying final decision under the current framework |
| Claim exceeds AED 50,000 and no amicable settlement is reached | The dispute may be referred to the competent court |
| Dispute concerns failure to follow an earlier amicable settlement | MOHRE has specific decision powers under the current legal framework |
Do not split, reduce, or change a genuine claim simply to try to fit a threshold without understanding the consequences.
State the real claim and let the official process determine the route.
How Much Does a MOHRE Complaint Cost?
For the standard Register Labour Complaints - Private Sector Employees service, MOHRE currently lists:
Service fee: None
The same official service page lists a completion duration of 14 working days.
That does not mean there can never be costs later.
If the case moves to another procedure, court, translation, document certification, expert process, or another service, separate costs or rules may apply.
Fees change often. Confirm the exact amount in the official portal before payment.
Do not pay a private person for "MOHRE complaint registration" without understanding what service they are providing when MOHRE itself lists the complaint service as free.
What If Your Salary Is Unpaid but You Do Not Want the Employer Told Your Name?
MOHRE's My Salary Complaint - Private Sector Employees service is specifically described as confidential.
According to the current service card:
- it is for a worker registered in the Ministry database
- it reports an establishment that is not paying wages on time
- the complainant's identity is not disclosed to the employer through that confidential complaint route
- the service is currently listed as free
- the service completion duration is listed as 14 working days
Official service: MOHRE My Salary Complaint
This can be useful if your immediate aim is to report a wage payment violation.
If you need a detailed individual claim for specific unpaid amounts, final settlement, termination payments, or several employment issues together, contact MOHRE and ask which complaint route is appropriate.
Can You File a Complaint After Resigning or Being Terminated?
A resignation or termination does not automatically remove every labour claim.
MOHRE's service directory material indicates that a worker can raise complaints even in situations where the work card has been cancelled, subject to the applicable complaint rules and the worker's record.
The important point is to act quickly, keep your cancellation and termination documents, and ask MOHRE to confirm the route for your current status.
Do not let an employer convince you that "your visa is cancelled, so you cannot complain" without checking with MOHRE.
Can You File a Complaint From Outside the UAE?
MOHRE's service directory guidance has stated that a worker outside the country can file a labour complaint.
Practical access can still depend on your records, contact details, identity verification, complaint type, and the current system.
If you have already left the UAE:
MOHRE currently lists an international call centre number on its official contact page.
Check the current number directly before calling: MOHRE Contact Us
Will Filing a Labour Complaint Cancel Your Work Permit?
Not automatically.
A labour complaint and work permit cancellation are separate processes, even when they become connected.
Depending on the dispute, MOHRE may deal with cancellation as part of the complaint process, or you may need a separate cancellation service.
If a case has already been referred to court and your work permit remains active, MOHRE has a dedicated cancellation service for workers with a labour court case, subject to its conditions.
Do not start working for another employer simply because you filed a complaint.
A new job normally requires the appropriate work authorisation.
What Happens to Your Residence Visa While the Complaint Is Open?
This is critical.
A MOHRE labour complaint does not itself guarantee that your UAE residence remains valid.
Your:
- employment complaint
- work permit
- residence permit
- visa cancellation
- overstay position
are related but not identical records.
If your residence is employer-sponsored and the employment relationship is ending, check your immigration status separately through the authority responsible for your residence file.
For Dubai-issued residence files, that is generally GDRFA Dubai.
For federal immigration files in the other emirates, that is generally ICP.
Do not wait until a flight or a new visa application to discover that your residence status required separate action.
Can You Work for Another Employer While the Complaint Is Pending?
Do not work for another employer without the correct permit.
MOHRE's worker guidance states that a worker whose complaint has moved to court may be able to apply for a temporary work permit with another employer in qualifying circumstances, subject to the current rules.
Whether that route is available depends on the worker's case and permit status.
Ask MOHRE before starting work.
An offer letter from a new company is not the same as permission to work.
What If the Employer Does Not Answer MOHRE?
Do not assume the complaint automatically wins.
MOHRE follows its official dispute process and may take the action permitted by the labour framework based on the complaint record, attempts to contact the parties, evidence, and applicable rules.
Keep responding to MOHRE and provide any document the legal researcher requests.
If your employer has closed the company, changed contact details, or stopped operating, tell MOHRE and provide any evidence you have.
What If the Employer Threatens You After You Complain?
Keep evidence.
Do not respond with threats of your own.
Save:
- messages
- emails
- call records where lawfully available
- written HR communication
- disciplinary notices
- work permit or cancellation messages
If the threat concerns your physical safety or an alleged criminal act, a labour complaint may not be the only relevant route. Contact the competent police or emergency authority where appropriate.
If it concerns employment action, report the facts to MOHRE and ask how they affect the existing complaint.
Do not assume every unpleasant workplace message is automatically a separate legal offence. Let the competent authority assess it.
What If You Signed a Settlement but the Employer Does Not Pay?
Contact MOHRE immediately and provide the settlement or complaint reference.
The current labour dispute framework gives MOHRE specific powers in disputes involving failure to comply with an amicable settlement previously issued through the Ministry.
Do not open a completely unrelated new complaint without first asking MOHRE how the existing settlement should be enforced or escalated.
How to Follow Up on Your Complaint
MOHRE's service page says applicants can follow their complaint through official inquiry channels.
Keep your transaction number and use:
- MOHRE website
- MOHRE mobile app
- Labour Claims and Advisory Center: 80084
- MOHRE call centre: 600590000
Official: MOHRE Transactions Inquiry Service
If somebody calls you claiming to be from MOHRE, do not provide banking passwords, OTPs unrelated to the official transaction, or card PINs.
When uncertain, end the call and contact MOHRE through the published official number.
A Practical Evidence Strategy for Pakistani and Indian Workers
Many disputes become harder because workers have important evidence only inside an old phone, company email account, or WhatsApp chat.
Before leaving a job, where lawful and appropriate, save personal copies of documents that belong to your employment record.
Do not copy confidential company data, client files, trade secrets, or documents you are not entitled to take.
Keep evidence about your own employment relationship.
Common Mistakes That Weaken a Labour Complaint
What a Strong Complaint Looks Like
A strong complaint is not necessarily long.
It is specific.
A useful structure is:
Issue: Salary for July and August not paid.
Employment record: Private-sector employee registered with MOHRE.
Evidence: Contract, bank statement, payslip, HR messages.
Action already taken: Written request sent to HR on specific dates.
Amount claimed: Clear amount based on contract and unpaid salary.
Requested result: Payment of the amounts due and completion of any required employment closing process.
That is much easier to investigate than a complaint containing ten pages of anger but no clear dates.
Fees and Timeline
| Stage | Current official direction |
|---|---|
| Standard private-sector MOHRE labour complaint | No service fee listed |
| MOHRE complaint service duration | 14 working days listed by MOHRE |
| Initial handling | MOHRE reviews the complaint and contacts the parties |
| Settlement | MOHRE seeks amicable resolution |
| Qualifying claim up to AED 50,000 | MOHRE can issue a decision under the current labour dispute framework |
| Claim above AED 50,000 where settlement fails | May be referred to the competent court |
| Challenge to a qualifying MOHRE decision | Time-sensitive. Follow the current decision notice and Article 54 procedure immediately |
| Work permit or immigration action | Separate timing may apply depending on the service and case |
Fees change often. Confirm the exact amount in the official portal before payment.
The 14-working-day figure is the service duration published by MOHRE. A dispute that moves to court, enforcement, permit cancellation, or another authority can take longer.
Official Sources Checked
The following official UAE sources were checked for this guide:
- MOHRE: Register Labour Complaints - Private Sector Employees
- MOHRE: How to File a Labour Complaint
- MOHRE: Dear Worker - Know Your Rights
- MOHRE: Contact Us
- MOHRE: My Salary Complaint - Private Sector Employees
- MOHRE: Free Zone Establishments and Similar Organizations Complaints
- MOHRE: Cancellation of an Absence from Work Complaint
- MOHRE: Cancellation of Work Permit for an Employee With a Labour Court Case
- MOHRE: Ministerial Resolution No. 782 of 2023 Regulating Individual Labour Complaints
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regulating Labour Relations
Last official-source check: 07 September 2026.
Employment disputes can be highly case-specific. Requirements and procedures may change. Confirm your complaint status, deadlines, work permit, and any court or immigration action through MOHRE and the competent official authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private-sector workers registered with MOHRE can use the official Register Labour Complaints service through the MOHRE website or mobile app. You can also contact the Labour Claims and Advisory Center on 80084 for guidance. Keep your Emirates ID, passport and employment details, complaint facts, and supporting evidence ready.
MOHRE currently lists no service fee for the standard Register Labour Complaints - Private Sector Employees service. Separate procedures later in the dispute may have their own requirements or costs, so confirm any payment through the official authority.
MOHRE currently lists 14 working days as the service completion duration for the standard private-sector labour complaint service. A dispute that is referred to court, requires enforcement, or involves separate work permit or immigration procedures can take longer.
Yes. Unpaid salary can form part of a labour complaint. MOHRE also has a separate confidential My Salary Complaint service for private-sector workers to report delayed wage payment without disclosing the complainant's identity to the employer through that complaint route. Ask MOHRE which service best fits the result you need.
MOHRE asks for identification and employment information and says supporting documents should be provided where available. Useful evidence can include your contract, resignation or termination letter, salary records, bank statements, HR correspondence, final settlement, leave records, and a clear calculation of any amount claimed.
For the standard labour complaint process, MOHRE reviews the complaint and normally contacts the complainant and respondent while trying to resolve the dispute amicably. A separate confidential salary complaint is designed differently and does not disclose the complainant's identity to the employer through that service.
The next step depends on the claim. Under the current labour dispute framework, MOHRE can issue a decision in qualifying disputes where the claim does not exceed AED 50,000. If a claim exceeds that threshold and amicable settlement fails, the dispute may be referred to the competent court.
Cancellation does not automatically remove every employment claim. MOHRE guidance indicates complaints can still be possible after cancellation, depending on the worker's record and the dispute. Contact MOHRE promptly with your old work permit, Emirates ID, cancellation document, and supporting evidence.
MOHRE service directory guidance has stated that workers outside the UAE can file labour complaints. Access can depend on identity verification, contact details, records, and complaint type. Use the official MOHRE online or international contact channels to confirm the process for your case.
A labour complaint, work permit cancellation, and residence cancellation are separate but connected processes. Do not assume that filing a complaint freezes every employment or immigration action. Ask MOHRE about the work permit and check your residence status separately with the responsible immigration authority.
Do not work for another employer without the appropriate work permit. MOHRE guidance indicates that a temporary work permit may be available in some qualifying cases while a dispute is before court. Ask MOHRE whether you qualify before starting work.
That issue has its own MOHRE process. Check whether an absence-from-work complaint is actually registered and use the official cancellation or dispute route if you believe it is incorrect. Do not assume that a normal salary complaint will automatically remove an absence report.
Bottom Line
A MOHRE complaint is most effective when you treat it as an evidence-based process, not an argument with your employer.
Start with the correct official service. Write down exactly what happened. Calculate any monetary claim carefully. Upload the documents that support it. Save your complaint reference. Answer MOHRE calls. Read any settlement or decision before accepting it.
For standard private-sector complaints, MOHRE currently lists the service as free with a 14-working-day service duration, and the Ministry first tries to resolve the dispute amicably.
If settlement fails, the next step depends on the claim and current labour dispute rules. Qualifying claims up to AED 50,000 can be decided by MOHRE under the current framework, while other disputes may move to the competent court.
Most importantly, do not forget the separate practical issue: a labour complaint does not automatically protect or renew your work permit or residence visa. Check those records separately and act before they create another problem.