Labour disputes between employers and employees can arise due to contract breaches, unpaid wages, unfair dismissals, or other workplace conflicts.
The UAE’s labour laws ensure such disputes are handled fairly and efficiently.
This article explains the process for filing a labour complaint UAE and highlights the legal services available to resolve these disputes in 2025.
Contact our expert labor law firm in UAE. Click the WhatsApp icon below.
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Labour Complaint UAE Process
In the UAE, labour complaints are categorized into individual disputes and collective disputes. Both are regulated by laws designed to protect workers and employers.
Filing an Individual Labour Complaint:
Employees and employers can file a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) if one party breaches their contractual obligations. Complaints can be submitted via:
- MOHRE website.
- MOHRE Smart App.
- Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre (80084).
Steps to File a Labour Complaint:
- Submit an application: Provide personal details (passport number, name, nationality) and company details (license number, establishment details).
- Verification: An OTP (One-Time Password) is sent via SMS or email for identity verification.
- Review and Amicable Settlement: MOHRE examines the complaint and attempts to resolve it amicably by contacting both parties.
Escalation to the Court:
- If an amicable resolution is not reached within 14 days, MOHRE refers the case to court with a summary of the dispute and recommendations.
- If the claim amount is under AED 50,000, MOHRE may issue a final decision without referring the case to court.
- If the claim exceeds AED 50,000, the dispute goes to court unless both parties settle.
Employees whose cases are referred to court must file the case within 14 days and may be entitled to claim two months’ wages if they continue working while the case is ongoing.
Filing a Labour Complaint for Absence from Work
Employers can report employees who have been absent for more than seven days without contact. The work permit is automatically canceled once the complaint is processed.
Required documents include employee’s entry and exit movement report from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security.
Additional documentation proving the employee’s status if they remain in the country.
If a worker’s complaint leads to their cessation of work, the work permit will be canceled after six months of being referred to court.
Collective Labour Disputes.
When disputes involve multiple workers against an employer, they are classified as collective labour disputes.
These are managed under Article 56 of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 and Cabinet Resolution No. 46 of 2022, which establish a Collective Labour Disputes Committee to resolve such conflicts efficiently.
Learn about Labour Complaint Dubai.
Legal Help for UAE Labour Dispute Complaints
Our labor lawyer in Dubai specializes in providing expert legal assistance for labour complaints in the UAE. Our services include:
- Legal Consultation: Advising employees and employers on their legal rights and obligations.
- Labour Complaint Filing: Assisting in drafting and submitting complaints to MOHRE.
- Negotiation & Amicable Settlements: Representing clients during settlement discussions with MOHRE and employers.
- Court Representation: Handling litigation if a case is referred to the Labour Court.
- Absconding Cases Defense: Assisting employees wrongly reported as absent from work.
- Employment Contract Review: Ensuring compliance with UAE labour laws.
FAQs about Labor Complaints in UAE
If you need legal support regarding a labour complaint UAE, our experienced lawyers will help you navigate the process effectively.
Contact our labor law firm in UAE for expert help. Click the Whatsapp icon below.
A legal consultant specializing in UAE labor law. He regularly publishes articles on the website and writes on various areas of UAE law, with a specific focus on labor law.
