How to File a MOHRE Labour Complaint in the UAE
MOHRE (the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) is the UAE government body that handles private-sector labour disputes — including unpaid wages, end-of-service gratuity, and arbitrary dismissal — through a free complaint process that starts with mediation and can refer unresolved cases to the Labour Court.
If an employer hasn’t paid you, hasn’t paid your end-of-service gratuity, or you believe you were dismissed unfairly, MOHRE is generally the first step, not a lawyer or a court directly. This guide walks through what that process actually looks like. It is general, informational content, not legal advice, and every case has its own specifics worth confirming with a lawyer.
WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR
Private-sector employees in the UAE with an unresolved issue involving unpaid wages, gratuity, notice pay, or dismissal, who want to understand the process before filing — or who have already filed and want to know what happens next.
Filing the Complaint
A complaint can be filed through the MOHRE smart app, the mohre.gov.ae eServices portal, or by calling MOHRE’s toll-free call centre — filing itself does not cost anything.
You’ll generally need your Emirates ID, your employer’s establishment details, your contract end date (if applicable), the amount you believe you’re owed, and a description of the dispute.
This step applies to private-sector employment. Government/public-sector roles and free-zone employees may fall under different processes — a lawyer can confirm which applies to your situation.
Employer Response and Mediation
Once filed, MOHRE notifies the employer, who is generally given a short window to respond.
If the employer disputes the complaint, MOHRE facilitates a mediation session where both sides present their position to a labour relations officer, who attempts to help reach a settlement.
MOHRE generally aims to resolve complaints at this stage within a defined period — though real-world timelines vary by case complexity and how responsive each side is.
Decision or Referral to Labour Court
For smaller claims, MOHRE can issue a decision itself. For larger or unresolved claims, or where mediation fails, the matter is referred to the Labour Court — generally without any additional fee for the employee at that point.
A court referral isn’t a setback in itself — it simply means the dispute moves to a judicial forum rather than being resolved administratively, and this is where having a lawyer becomes considerably more valuable.
When to Involve a Lawyer
You can file the initial MOHRE complaint yourself — the process is designed to be accessible without a lawyer at that stage.
A lawyer becomes particularly useful if the employer disputes the claim, if the case is referred to the Labour Court, if the amount involved is significant, or if the dispute involves anything beyond straightforward unpaid wages, such as a contested dismissal or a non-compete question.
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