UAE Labour Court and Unpaid Salary Complaints: How to File with MOHRE

The UAE dispute resolution system for employment matters is more accessible than most workers realise. The process is digital, does not require a lawyer for most cases, and includes a fast-track mechanism for claims under AED 50,000. The main mistake workers make is waiting too long to file — or not filing at all because they fear retaliation.

The Three-Tier Dispute System

UAE employment disputes are handled through a three-tier system:

Tier 1: MOHRE Complaint Tier 2: Labour Court (Minor Claims or Civil Court) Tier 3: Appeals (Court of Appeal, Court of Cassation)

Most disputes are resolved at Tier 1. If they reach the Labour Court, the outcome is typically faster than in most jurisdictions — minor claims courts are specifically designed for low-value employment disputes.

When to File a MOHRE Complaint

You can file a complaint with MOHRE for any violation of the Labour Law, including:

• Unpaid salary (the most common complaint)
• Unlawful termination
• Non-payment of gratuity or annual leave
• Wrongful absconding report
• Passport confiscation
• Non-compete enforcement beyond legal limits
• Failure to provide the required notice period

The one-year limitation: You must file within one year of the date of the violation. For ongoing violations (such as a series of unpaid months), the clock starts from the most recent incident.

How to File: Step by Step

Step 1: File through the MOHRE Smart App or website

Navigate to the MOHRE app (available on iOS and Android) or mohre.gov.ae. Select "Labour Complaint." Fill in:

• Your Emirates ID or passport number
• Your employer's details (you can look these up by trade licence number if needed)
• Nature of the complaint and the amounts claimed
• Upload your evidence

The system generates a complaint reference number immediately.

Step 2: MOHRE mediation (within 14 days)

A MOHRE labour officer will contact both parties and attempt mediation. This is typically done via phone or video call. If both parties agree to a settlement, it is recorded as a binding agreement. Many simple unpaid salary claims resolve at this stage.

Step 3: Labour Court referral (if mediation fails)

If mediation fails within 14 days, MOHRE issues a referral to the Labour Court. For claims under AED 50,000, the Minor Claims division processes the case on an accelerated basis. Court sessions can happen within two to four weeks of referral.

For claims over AED 50,000, the case goes to the standard Civil Court employment division, which takes longer.

Evidence That Wins MOHRE Cases

The difference between a successful and unsuccessful complaint is almost always documentation. Collect these before you file:

• Labour contract — the version registered with MOHRE, not just the version your employer gave you (they must match; if they do not, the MOHRE version prevails)
• Payslips or salary transfer records — bank statements showing the WPS salary transfers are the most powerful evidence for unpaid salary claims
• Employment emails or WhatsApp messages — communications that acknowledge the debt, promise payment, or show the conditions of your employment
• Offer letter — relevant if your actual pay differed from the agreed terms
• Termination letter — important for wrongful termination claims
• Emirates ID and passport copies

For passport confiscation claims, a letter sent to the employer requesting return of the passport (even via WhatsApp) and their failure to respond is sufficient.

Unpaid Salary Complaints in Dubai

For Dubai specifically, unpaid salary complaints can also be filed directly with the Dubai Courts if the MOHRE route has stalled. The Dubai Courts website provides an online filing portal. However, starting with MOHRE is generally faster and more appropriate for straightforward salary disputes.

Dubai Labour Courts handled nearly 2,100 reported labour market violations in the first half of 2025, according to Gulf News data — which illustrates both the scale of violations and the functioning of the complaints system.

Will Filing a Complaint Cause Retaliation?

Retaliation against an employee for filing a MOHRE complaint is itself a violation of the Labour Law. An employer cannot terminate you, reduce your salary, or threaten your visa status in response to a legitimate complaint.

If you believe retaliation is occurring, document it and add it to your complaint. This strengthens your case.

However, if your visa status is tied to the employer who is the subject of your complaint, be aware that your employment relationship may effectively end during the process. Plan for the grace period (180 days for skilled professionals) as your window to find new employment while the complaint is resolved.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

For MOHRE complaints and Minor Claims court cases (under AED 50,000), a lawyer is not required and many workers represent themselves successfully. The documents and forms are in Arabic, but MOHRE handles queries in multiple languages and the Smart App has English-language navigation.

For larger claims or complex wrongful termination cases involving senior roles, legal representation becomes more valuable.

If you are in a dispute with a UAE employer and are not sure what you are entitled to or how to calculate what is owed, the UAE Employment Visa Guide includes a full section on the MOHRE complaint process, evidence checklist, and gratuity calculation — so you can file with confidence.

See more UAE guides →