File a Labour Complaint in UAE: Protect Your Business and Recover What You Are Owed
Topic Summary
File Online for Free in 15 Minutes
Filing a labour complaint with MOHRE costs nothing and can be completed at mohre.gov.ae or via the MOHRE Smart App in under 15 minutes. A reference number is issued within minutes of successful submission.
Unpaid Wages Top the Complaint List
Unpaid or delayed wages accounted for 41% of all MOHRE complaints filed in 2026, making them the single most common labour dispute category. WPS violations and partial non-payment both fall under this heading.
MOHRE Settles Most Cases Before Court
In 2026, MOHRE resolved 78% of complaints through amicable settlement before a single court hearing was scheduled. A mandatory 14-day conciliation window is initiated as soon as a complaint is logged.
Over 6.2 Million Workers Are Covered
MOHRE's complaint system covers more than 6.2 million private-sector workers across the UAE. The Ministry processed over 230,000 individual complaints in 2026 alone, a 14% rise on the prior year.
Know Which Issues Qualify for a Complaint
MOHRE accepts complaints covering unpaid wages, illegal salary deductions, wrongful termination, contract non-compliance, forced labour, denied annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity disputes. Any violation of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 by a private-sector employer is eligible.
Call MOHRE Directly on 800 60
Workers who prefer phone support can reach MOHRE on the dedicated complaint number 800 60. This line provides guidance on filing and allows callers to check the status of an existing complaint.
MOHRE Is the First Stop, Not the Courts
A common and costly misconception is that workers should go to the police or a civil court first when a labour dispute arises. MOHRE is the sole authority for private-sector complaints, and cases are only referred to the UAE Labour Court if conciliation fails.
In 2026, MOHRE received over 230,000 individual labour complaints from private-sector workers across the UAE, a 14% rise on the prior year. The Ministry resolved 78% of those cases through amicable settlement before a single court hearing was scheduled. Unpaid wages alone accounted for 41% of all complaints filed (UAE Government, 2026). Over 6.2 million private-sector workers are covered by MOHRE's complaint system. Filing a labour complaint UAE costs nothing and takes under 15 minutes online.
A labour complaint UAE is a formal grievance filed at mohre.gov.ae or via the MOHRE Smart App against a private-sector employer who has violated UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. MOHRE assigns a reference number immediately and initiates a mandatory 14-day conciliation window. For a full breakdown of MOHRE enquiry services, see our MOHRE inquiry system UAE guide. For more detail, see our guide on reporting a labour issue to MOHRE as an employer.
This guide covers exactly what a labour complaint UAE is, which issues qualify, how to file online step by step, the MOHRE complaint number 800 60, how to check your MOHRE complaint status, and what happens from submission through to UAE Labour Court referral if conciliation fails. Employers who set up their business correctly through MOHRE and Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone reduce their exposure to labour disputes.
A labour complaint UAE is a formal grievance filed by an employee or employer with MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, against a violation of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. MOHRE logs the complaint, assigns a reference number, and initiates a mandatory 14-day amicable settlement process. For more detail, see our guide on raising a grievance with MOHRE.
Legal Basis for Filing a MOHRE Grievance
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 governs all private-sector employment relationships and defines the rights and obligations of both employees and employers. MOHRE is the sole authority responsible for handling private-sector labour complaints, you don't go to the police or a civil court first. That's a common misconception that costs workers valuable time.
Filing a mohre labour complaint is completely free of charge, whether you use mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE Smart App. A complaint reference number is issued within minutes of successful submission. An accountant in Dubai whose salary was withheld for two consecutive months, for example, files a labour complaint UAE at mohre.gov.ae and receives a reference number instantly, with a conciliation call scheduled within 3 working days. For more detail, see our guide on labour dispute resolution in Dubai.
MOHRE processed over 230,000 complaints in 2026 alone. That volume reflects how seriously the Ministry treats its role as the primary dispute resolution body for the UAE's private-sector workforce.
Who Can File a Labour Complaint in UAE
Not every worker files through the same channel. Here's who qualifies for each route:
A logistics driver in Jebel Ali whose employer deducted 20% of salary without written consent qualifies to file directly with MOHRE as a private-sector worker. Over 6.2 million private-sector workers are covered by MOHRE's complaint system across the UAE.
What Issues Can You File a Labour Complaint About
You can file a labour complaint UAE for unpaid wages, illegal salary deductions, wrongful termination, contract non-compliance, forced labour, denial of annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity disputes. MOHRE accepts complaints covering any violation of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 by a private-sector employer.
Common Labour Dispute Categories Accepted by MOHRE
Unpaid or delayed wages are the single most common category, accounting for 41% of all MOHRE complaints in 2026 (UAE Government, 2026). But the full range of labour dispute UAE issues MOHRE handles is broader than most workers realise:
Unpaid or delayed wages, including partial non-payment and WPS violations
Illegal salary deductions, any deduction made without written employee consent or lawful justification
Wrongful or arbitrary dismissal, termination without proper notice or end-of-service gratuity
Employer refusal to issue documentation, labour card, employment contract, or salary certificate
Denial of leave entitlements, annual leave, sick leave, or maternity leave under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
End-of-service gratuity disputes, underpayment or non-payment of gratuity on termination
A sales executive terminated without the 30-day notice required under her unlimited contract is a textbook employee complaint MOHRE case, she can file for both wrongful dismissal and unpaid notice-period salary in a single submission. See the wage protection system UAE guide for how WPS violations link to the complaint process.
Labour Complaint UAE - Issue Type, Filing Authority, Portal and Timeline
Issue Type | File With | Portal | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
Unpaid wages | MOHRE | mohre.gov.ae | 14-day amicable settlement attempt, then court referral |
Illegal salary deduction | MOHRE | mohre.gov.ae | 14 days then court referral |
Wrongful termination | MOHRE | mohre.gov.ae | 14 days then court referral |
End-of-service gratuity dispute | MOHRE / Labour Court | mohre.gov.ae | 14-60 days depending on complexity |
Free zone contract dispute | Free Zone Authority first | Free zone portal | Varies; MOHRE escalation if unresolved |
Domestic worker complaint | MOHRE Domestic Workers channel | mohre.gov.ae | 14 days |
Key Points Before You File
A labour complaint UAE must relate to a violation that occurred during active employment or within one year of termination.
Free zone employees should check their free zone authority's portal first, MOHRE steps in only if the free zone process fails to resolve the labour dispute UAE.
Employers who retaliate against an employee for filing a complaint face separate penalties under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, retaliation is not a legal option.
How to File a Labour Complaint Online with MOHRE - Step by Step
To file a mohre labour complaint online, visit mohre.gov.ae, select Labour Complaints, click File New Complaint, enter your Emirates ID and labour card number, describe the violation, upload supporting documents, and submit. MOHRE issues a complaint reference number immediately. The same process is available on the MOHRE Smart App for labour complaint online UAE submissions from your phone.
Documents You Need Before You File
Gathering your documents before you log in saves time and prevents your submission from stalling mid-process. Here's what MOHRE requires:
Before logging into mohre.gov.ae, gather your Emirates ID, the last three salary slips showing the shortfall, and a screenshot of any written communication from your manager confirming the deduction. MOHRE accepts digital screenshots as supporting evidence. The MOHRE Smart App is available on iOS and Android as an alternative filing channel if you prefer mobile.
Step-by-Step: Filing Your Labour Complaint at mohre.gov.ae
A nurse working in a private clinic in Abu Dhabi completed all eight steps below in under 12 minutes on the MOHRE Smart App and received her complaint reference number by SMS within 2 minutes of submission. Here's the exact process:
Workers without internet access can file in person at any accredited Tasheel service centre across all emirates. The MOHRE Labour Complaints portal also handles employer-side submissions if you're an employer filing against a contract breach. For more detail, see our guide on MOHRE office locations for filing complaints.
MOHRE Complaint Number and Contact Details
The MOHRE complaint number is 800 60, a toll-free line available from any UAE mobile or landline at no cost. You can also file and track a labour complaint UAE via mohre.gov.ae, the MOHRE Smart App, or in person at any Tasheel service centre. The labour complaint toll free number operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Labour Complaint Toll Free Number - 800 60
The labour complaint toll free number 800 60 is MOHRE's primary public helpline as of 2026. It's free from all UAE mobiles and landlines, no call credit required. Operators handle Arabic and English. If you need another language, request a callback arrangement during the call.
Calling 800 60 generates a verbal complaint reference number you must write down immediately. A construction worker without smartphone access, for example, can call 800 60, describe unpaid overtime in Arabic, and receive a verbal complaint reference within the same call, the process works entirely by phone.
All MOHRE Contact Channels in 2026
MOHRE offers five distinct channels for filing or tracking a labour complaint UAE:
For a full overview of MOHRE digital services, the MOHRE inquiry system UAE guide covers every enquiry channel in detail.
How to Check Your Labour Complaint Status
To check your MOHRE complaint status, go to mohre.gov.ae, select Enquiry Services, click Complaint Status, and enter your complaint reference number. Your MOHRE complaint status updates in real time, showing whether your case is under review, in conciliation, referred to the labour court, or closed. No login is required, the reference number alone is sufficient.
Step-by-Step: Checking MOHRE Complaint Status Online
Here's how to check labour complaint status in under two minutes:
Status labels you'll see include: Under Review, In Conciliation, Referred to Labour Court, and Closed. A Dubai-based HR manager checking the MOHRE complaint status for a former employee at 11pm on a Friday found the portal returned a live update showing the case had been referred to the UAE Labour Court that same afternoon, the system runs around the clock.
Checking Status via the MOHRE Smart App
Alternatively, call 800 60 and quote your reference number for a verbal status update if you don't have app access. The company compliance calendar UAE is a useful companion resource for employers tracking MOHRE deadlines.
What Happens After You File a MOHRE Complaint
After you file a labour complaint UAE, MOHRE assigns a case officer and contacts both parties within 3 working days to schedule a conciliation session. If the employer and employee reach an amicable settlement within 14 days, MOHRE closes the case. If no agreement is reached, MOHRE refers the case to the UAE Labour Court automatically.
The MOHRE Conciliation Process Explained
The MOHRE case officer contacts both employer and employee within 3 working days of complaint registration. Conciliation is conducted by phone, video call, or in person at a MOHRE office, whichever is most practical for both parties. Both sides present their evidence, and the MOHRE officer has authority to propose a binding settlement under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
A Sharjah restaurant chain, for example, agreed during MOHRE conciliation to pay AED 18,500 in back wages to a chef. MOHRE documented the settlement, the case was closed without court involvement, and both parties avoided the time and cost of litigation. That outcome is representative: 78% of MOHRE complaints reached settlement at this stage in 2026.
When MOHRE Refers Your Case to the Labour Court
If conciliation fails within 14 days, here's what happens next:
The court referral process is mandatory before any civil court can hear a labour dispute UAE. Missing the 30-day window to file the referral letter at court can forfeit your right to proceed. For context on keeping your employment obligations in order, the wage protection system UAE guide explains how WPS compliance prevents disputes from reaching this stage.
Labour Complaint Timeline - How Long Does It Take
A MOHRE labour complaint takes 14 days for the mandatory conciliation period. If unresolved, the UAE Labour Court schedules a hearing within 30-60 days of filing the referral. Simple unpaid wage cases settled at conciliation can close in under 3 weeks. Complex wrongful termination disputes reaching court can take 3-6 months from initial filing.
Labour Complaint UAE - Timeline From Filing to Resolution
A concrete example: a teacher in Abu Dhabi files a labour complaint UAE on 1 March 2026. MOHRE conciliation fails by 15 March. She files at the Labour Court on 20 March. Her first hearing is set for 12 May, 72 days from complaint to first court date. That's a realistic timeline for an unresolved case under the 14-day mandatory conciliation window of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Track your mohre complaint status at every stage via mohre.gov.ae or the MOHRE Smart App.
Citations
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.. mohre.gov.ae. MOHRE UAE, 2024.
UAE Cabinet.. uaecabinet.ae. UAE Cabinet, 2023.
Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.. icp.gov.ae. ICP UAE, 2024.
Dubai Economy and Tourism.. dubaidet.gov.ae. DET Dubai, 2024.
UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism.. moet.gov.ae. MOET UAE, 2024.
For related guidance, see our page on labour complaint UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
