How to File a MoHRE Labour Complaint — UAE
Sourced from UAE federal decrees, laws, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
MoHRE — the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation — is the first stop for any private-sector employment dispute in mainland UAE. It mediates between worker and employer, issues binding decisions on smaller wage claims, and gates access to the Labour Court for anything bigger. Filing is free, multilingual, and requires no lawyer.
The complaint route runs through three channels: the MoHRE app, the website at mohre.gov.ae, or the 600 590 000 hotline (24/7). Workers in DIFC and ADGM file with the DIFC Employment Tribunal or ADGM dispute body instead.
When does it apply?
- You're an expatriate or UAE national working under Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 (mainland UAE private sector).
- You have a wage, gratuity, final-settlement, or termination dispute with your employer.
- You're still in the UAE (filing from abroad is possible but harder — power of attorney usually required).
- Not applicable to: domestic workers under the separate Domestic Workers Law, DIFC/ADGM employees, federal government employees, military personnel.
What should you do?
- Gather evidence before filing. Employment contract, last 3 months of payslips, bank statements showing unpaid wages, written correspondence with the employer, photos or screenshots of any disputed item.
- Choose your filing channel. MoHRE app (search "MoHRE" on iOS/Android, login with UAE Pass) — fastest. Website at mohre.gov.ae — same flow. Hotline 600 590 000 — best for complex disputes that need explanation.
- Complete the complaint form. Required fields: your Emirates ID, employer's establishment card number, contract end date, claim amount, dispute description (Arabic preferred but English accepted). Upload supporting documents (PDF/JPG).
- Mediation phase (typically 3-4 weeks). MoHRE contacts the employer, schedules a mediation meeting (in person or virtual). For wage claims under AED 100,000, MoHRE can issue a binding decision directly. Larger claims go to the next phase.
- If mediation fails, MoHRE issues a Labour Court referral letter within 14 days. This letter is the prerequisite to filing in court. Without it, the court will refuse jurisdiction.
- Take the referral letter to the Labour Court in your emirate. Filing fee waived for claims below AED 100,000 (Federal Law 11/1992 Art. 53). Court typically issues judgment within 2-4 months.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't sign "no objection" forms during mediation if the amount is wrong. Signing closes the claim. Push for the right number first.
- Don't leave the UAE without the referral letter if mediation has stalled. Filing from abroad requires power of attorney and adds 4-8 weeks.
- Don't pay a private "labour consultant" to file — MoHRE filing is free and the app/website flow is straightforward. Most consultants charge AED 500-1500 for what MoHRE does for free.
Common Questions
When does it apply — how to file a mohre labour complaint?
You're an expatriate or UAE national working under Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 (mainland UAE private sector).You have a wage, gratuity, final-settlement, or termination dispute with your employer.You're still in the UAE (filing from abroad is possible but harder — power of attorney usually required).Not applicable to: domestic workers under the separate Domestic Workers Law, DIFC/ADGM employees, federal government employees, military personnel.
What should you do — how to file a mohre labour complaint?
Gather evidence before filing. Employment contract, last 3 months of payslips, bank statements showing unpaid wages, written correspondence with the employer, photos or screenshots of any disputed item.Choose your filing channel. MoHRE app (search "MoHRE" on iOS/Android, login with UAE Pass) — fastest. Website at mohre.gov.ae — same flow. Hotline 600 590 000 — best for complex disputes that need explanation.Complete the complaint form. Required fields: your Emirates ID, employer's establishment card number, contract end date, claim amount, dispute description (Arabic preferred but English acce...
What should you NOT do — how to file a mohre labour complaint?
Don't sign "no objection" forms during mediation if the amount is wrong. Signing closes the claim. Push for the right number first.Don't leave the UAE without the referral letter if mediation has stalled. Filing from abroad requires power of attorney and adds 4-8 weeks.Don't pay a private "labour consultant" to file — MoHRE filing is free and the app/website flow is straightforward. Most consultants charge AED 500-1500 for what MoHRE does for free.