How a MOHRE labour complaint works, from MOHRE's service pages and the Labour Law: who can file, the five steps, 14 working days, free-zone complaints, what MOHRE can decide, appeals, deadlines and contact numbers.
A labour complaint is how an employer or an employee in the UAE private sector asks MOHRE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, to step in when the other side breaks the employment contract. This guide follows MOHRE's own service pages — Register Labour Complaints – Private Sector Employees and Free Zone Establishments and Similar Organizations: Complaints — and Article 54 of the Labour Law, all read on 25 October 2026.
Who can file a MOHRE labour complaint
Quick answer: Both employers and employees. MOHRE's service is for registering labour claims "in the event that one of the parties breaches their contractual obligations". It is free and MOHRE states 14 working days.
The Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, Art. 54, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024) sends every individual dispute to MOHRE first, for an amicable settlement, before any court case. The Court of First Instance will not accept a lawsuit that skipped this step.
How to file a complaint: the five steps
- Submit through MOHRE's website or app with the employee's passport number, name, date of birth and nationality. Employers also enter the establishment or licence number. The Emirates ID number is mandatory for everyone.
- Confirm with the one-time password sent by SMS or email (not needed in the app).
- Amicable settlement: MOHRE's officer, after consulting a legal adviser, contacts both the complainant and the respondent to settle. If that fails, a meeting is scheduled and both receive the date by SMS.
- Second attempt: MOHRE contacts the parties again. If they still don't settle, the complaint is referred to the competent court — or the work permit may be cancelled, as the claim requires.
- Outcome: MOHRE sends the result by SMS.
| Item | MOHRE's service page |
|---|---|
| Who can file | Employers and employees |
| Time | 14 working days |
| Fee | None |
| Channels | Website and mobile app |
| Conditions | The employee must be in MOHRE's database; the same employee cannot have another pending complaint or court dispute unless the employment is ongoing or the employee wants to cancel the work permit |
| Documents | Anything supporting the claim, if any — for example a resignation or dismissal letter |
| Follow-up | MOHRE inquiry services on mohre.gov.ae, the MOHRE app, or 046659999 |
What MOHRE can decide, and appeals
Article 54 gives MOHRE real powers once a dispute reaches it:
- Claims up to AED 50,000: MOHRE can issue a final decision itself. Article 54(2) also lets it decide, regardless of the claim's value, in some cases involving non-compliance with an amicable settlement decision. Its decision carries a writ of execution.
- Appeal: either party can take MOHRE's decision to the competent Court of Appeal within 15 working days of being notified. The court schedules a hearing within 3 working days and decides within 30 working days; filing an appeal suspends the decision.
- Other disputes: if settlement fails in other cases, MOHRE refers the dispute to the competent court with a memorandum summarising it, both sides' arguments and MOHRE's recommendations.
- Withheld wages: where a dispute leads to wages being withheld, MOHRE can order the employer to keep paying the employee's wages for up to two months.
- Deadline: claims under the Labour Law are not heard two years after the employment relationship ends.
Free-zone employees and others outside MOHRE's system
MOHRE runs a separate service for free-zone establishments, similar organisations and people not registered with MOHRE: it reviews the complaint and issues a letter of referral to the judiciary. It is free and also states 14 working days. MOHRE asks for a no-objection letter from the body that issued the employee's work permit (the free zone or similar organisation), or the worker's data with ICP. Establishments in the economic zones that are under the Ministry system in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are excluded from this route.
When an employee can leave without notice
Under Article 45(1), an employee may quit without notice and keep their end-of-service rights if the employer breaches its obligations — provided the employee notifies MOHRE 14 working days before leaving and the employer does not put the breach right after MOHRE tells it to. Late or unpaid wages are the most common example; see our WPS guide for the day-by-day timetable MOHRE applies when salaries are late, including automatic registration of a labour dispute on day 16 for larger employers.
MOHRE complaint and help numbers
| Line | Number |
|---|---|
| MOHRE call centre (24/7) | 600590000 |
| International | +971 6 803 4000 |
| Follow-up on a complaint | 046659999 |
| Labour Claims and Advisory Center | 80084 |
| ask@mohre.gov.ae |
MOHRE's contact page lists the call centre, the international number, the Labour Claims and Advisory Center and the email; the complaint service pages list the follow-up number.
For employers: keeping complaints off your file
Most complaints start with late wages, unpaid final dues or a dispute over notice and gratuity. Paying through WPS by the 1st, settling final dues within 14 days of the contract ending (Art. 53), and putting resignations and dismissals in writing removes most of the ground for one. Our UAE Labour Law guide covers notice, termination and gratuity, and the gratuity calculator and leave salary calculator work out the final settlement.
ZETUP PRO runs MOHRE transactions for mainland companies — work permits, contracts, WPS and cancellations — on a published monthly retainer. We are not lawyers: for a contested claim or a court case, use a licensed lawyer.
Free PDF: UAE Employer Labour Law Checklist 2026 | See the pricing | Book a free PRO Health Check
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I file a labour complaint with MOHRE? A: Through MOHRE's Register Labour Complaints service on its website or app. Enter the employee's passport number, name, date of birth and nationality (employers also add the establishment or licence number), give an Emirates ID number, and confirm with the one-time password.
Q: How long does a MOHRE labour complaint take? A: MOHRE's service page states 14 working days. If the parties do not settle, the complaint goes to the competent court, or MOHRE decides it itself if the claim is AED 50,000 or less.
Q: Is there a fee to file a MOHRE complaint? A: No. MOHRE lists the service fee as none.
Q: Can an employer file a complaint against an employee? A: Yes. MOHRE's service is open to employers and employees when either side breaches its contractual obligations.
Q: What is the MOHRE complaint number? A: MOHRE's call centre is 600590000 (24/7), and the complaint service pages give 046659999 for following up on an application.
Q: How long do I have to file a labour claim? A: Claims under the Labour Law are not heard after two years from the end of the employment relationship (Art. 54).
Q: Can I appeal a MOHRE decision? A: Yes, to the competent Court of Appeal within 15 working days of being notified of the decision (Art. 54).
Q: How do free-zone employees file a complaint? A: Through MOHRE's free-zone complaints service, which issues a letter of referral to the judiciary. It needs a no-objection letter from the free zone or organisation that issued the work permit, or the worker's data with ICP.
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