Filing a MOHRE labour complaint online - laptop and documents

How to File a MOHRE Labour Complaint: Step by Step (2026)

Unpaid salary. Denied leave. Gratuity never paid. Unfair dismissal. When your employer breaks the law and talking to HR goes nowhere, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is your recourse — and filing a complaint is free. This guide walks you through the whole process: what to prepare before you file, each filing channel step by step, what happens after you submit, and the five mistakes that sink otherwise winnable cases.

Once you have filed, you can follow your case with our companion guide: MOHRE Complaint Status Check: Track Your Labour Case Online.

Before you file: 3 things to get right

1. Make sure MOHRE is the right authority

MOHRE handles private-sector employees on the UAE mainland. If you work in a free zone (DIFC, DMCC, JAFZA and others), file with your free zone authority's own dispute department first — MOHRE will redirect you otherwise, costing you weeks. Domestic workers fall under a separate process. If you are unsure which authority covers you, check your work permit or ask HR in writing.

2. Gather your evidence first

A complaint with documents moves; a complaint with only a story waits. Before filing, collect:

Your labour contract as registered with MOHRE (check it online here if you never received a copy)
Salary proof: payslips or bank statements showing deposits — or their absence — for the disputed months
Your Emirates ID and passport copy
Written communications: termination letter, emails, and WhatsApp messages with dates visible (screenshots saved as PDF; labour courts accept WhatsApp as evidence)
For end-of-service claims: proof of your employment dates and your own gratuity calculation

3. Respect the deadline

Claims for unpaid entitlements must generally be filed within 2 years of the date the entitlement fell due. Do not wait — evidence gets harder to gather with time, and a late complaint can be dismissed outright. File as soon as the dispute is clear.

How to file: every channel, step by step

Option A: Online via mohre.gov.ae (most common)

Go to mohre.gov.ae and open Services.
Open the Service Directory, select Services for Employees, then Register Labour Complaint, and press Start Service.
Log in with UAE Pass, or enter your name and mobile number and verify the OTP.
Identify yourself: enter your labour card number, or your passport number + nationality, or your full name, gender, nationality and date of birth — then press Search to load your employment record.
Select your employer from the list and click Add Complaint.
Answer the screening questions (has your employment ended? is your current salary the same as your contract states?).
Write your remarks: what happened, when it began, the amounts involved, and what outcome you want. Be specific — a claim with clear dates and figures is processed faster than a vague one.
Select the correct complaint type, upload your documents, and press Register Complaint.
Save your complaint reference number — you need it for every follow-up and for tracking your case online.

Option B: MOHRE smart app

Install the official MOHRE app and log in with UAE Pass.
Open employee services and select the labour complaint option.
Complete the same form as the website, uploading photos or PDFs of your documents directly from your phone.
Submit and save your reference number.

Option C: By phone

600 590 000 — MOHRE contact centre, 24/7, multilingual support
800 60 — toll-free line
80084 — Labour Claims and Advisory Centre: free specialist guidance before you file, useful if you are unsure whether your case qualifies

A phone call can register the complaint verbally — write down the reference number immediately.

Option D: In person

Visit any Tas'heel or Tawafuq service centre with your Emirates ID, contract, and evidence. Staff can complete the filing with you — the best option if you are not comfortable with the online forms.

What can you complain about?

MOHRE accepts complaints across the full range of employment disputes. The most common types:

Complaint type	Examples
Salary and wage disputes	Delayed salary, partial payment, unpaid overtime, illegal deductions
End-of-service benefits	Gratuity not paid, leave salary withheld, notice pay missing
Unlawful termination	Fired without notice, without valid reason, or in retaliation for claiming rights
Contract breaches	Salary cuts, forced role changes, longer hours without consent
Leave denial	Annual leave refused, sick or maternity leave not granted
Passport withholding	Employer illegally keeps your passport or documents
Unsafe conditions / harassment	Workplace safety failures, verbal abuse, discrimination
Visa and permit issues	Forced to pay visa fees, permit cancelled unfairly, absconding reports filed falsely

How to write a complaint that gets taken seriously

MOHRE officers process large volumes of cases. A clear, factual complaint moves faster than an emotional one. When writing your remarks:

Lead with facts: "My salary of AED 5,000 for March, April and May 2026 has not been paid" beats "my company is cheating me".
Use dates: when the problem started, when you raised it with HR, what they replied.
State exact amounts: unpaid salary, overtime hours, gratuity figure — with your calculation.
Say what you want: payment of AED X, reinstatement of leave, cancellation of an unfair termination. A clear demand is easier to mediate than an open-ended grievance.
Attach everything: reference your uploads by name ("see payslip March 2026") so the officer can match documents to claims.
Stay professional: avoid insults or threats toward your employer — they undermine your credibility with the mediator.

What happens after you file

Registration: your complaint is logged and a reference number is issued, usually the same day.
Mediation: MOHRE first attempts conciliation between you and your employer, usually within about 14 days. A legal adviser contacts both sides to verify facts and push for a settlement. Respond promptly to every call and message — missed contact is the most common reason cases stall.
MOHRE decision or court referral: if mediation fails and your claim is AED 50,000 or less, MOHRE can issue a final, binding decision itself. Larger unresolved claims are referred to the labour court with MOHRE's memo and evidence. Either side can appeal a MOHRE decision to the Court of First Instance within 15 working days of notification.
Closure: if you settle, confirm you receive everything agreed and save the closure letter.

Costs: filing is free, and workers are exempt from court fees on labour claims under AED 100,000. A modest claim is never priced out of justice.

You can watch every stage of this process with your reference number — see how to check your MOHRE complaint status.

5 mistakes that kill a MOHRE complaint

1. Filing with the wrong authority. Free zone employees who file with MOHRE lose weeks to redirection. Verify your jurisdiction first.

2. Filing with no evidence. "They owe me money" without contracts, payslips, or messages is a weak case. Gather documents before you file, not after.

3. Waiting too long. The 2-year limit is real, and evidence decays — messages get deleted, witnesses move on. File as soon as the dispute is clear.

4. Going silent during mediation. MOHRE's conciliation window is short. Miss their calls and the case can close or weaken. Keep your phone on and your reference number handy.

5. Signing a "full and final settlement" under pressure. Once signed, reopening the case is extremely difficult. Never sign a settlement you disagree with — ask the mediator for time to review it.

Frequently asked questions

Is filing a MOHRE complaint really free?

Yes. Registration, mediation, and MOHRE's decision cost you nothing, and court fees are waived for workers on claims under AED 100,000.

Can my employer retaliate for filing?

Retaliation — termination, reduced hours, harassment — for filing a complaint is prohibited. Report it to your case handler immediately; it strengthens your case and can bring additional penalties for the employer.

What if my employer has no trade licence or my work was informal?

File anyway and explain the situation. MOHRE handles unlicensed-employment cases seriously, and the absence of a registered contract does not automatically end your rights — but expect the process to take longer while employment is established.

How long does the whole process take?

Registration is same-day; mediation usually starts within about 14 days. Straightforward settlements can conclude in weeks; contested cases referred to court take months depending on complexity.

Can I cancel or withdraw my complaint?

Yes — if you and your employer settle privately, you can request withdrawal through the same channel you filed. Get any private settlement in writing first.

What if I have already left the UAE?

You can still file online from abroad using your passport details, as long as you are within the 2-year limit. The phone channel (600 590 000) also works internationally via +971 680 34000.

Will my employer know I complained?

Yes — mediation requires both sides, so your employer will be contacted. But retaliation for filing is prohibited and should be reported to your case handler immediately.

Can I file a complaint while still employed?

Yes. You do not need to resign or be terminated first. Many complaints — unpaid salary, denied leave, unsafe conditions — are filed by employees who are still working.

How to File a MOHRE Labour Complaint (Step by Step, 2026)