How To File A Complaint Against Employer
Table of Contents
Laborers working in the UAE get the option to file a complaint against employer by reporting to MOHRE. This is a formal way to raise your voice against workplace issues when discussions with your employer do not lead to a resolution. In fact, MOHRE stated that it settled 98.6% of labor disputes in 2025. This shows the way the complaint process often helps resolve issues without court action.
Whether it is delayed salaries, contract violations, or an end-of-service dispute, understanding how to file a complaint against an employer in the UAE helps protect your rights under the regulations in 2026 and beyond.
What is MOHRE and When To File A Complaint?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, commonly known as MORHE, sets employment relations across the UAE mainland. It enforces labor laws, monitors employer compliance, and handles private-sector employment disputes.
The agency always advises the laborer to file a complaint against employer when the employer violates legal obligations and attempts at friendly resolution fail.
There is no legal deadline for this, as complaints can be submitted within 2 years of the violation date. Claims raised after this period may not be accepted.
Issues for Which MORHE Allows Complaints
Before laborers file a complaint against employer, it is essential to confirm that the issue falls under MORHE’s jurisdiction. MORHE commonly covers mainland employers, while most of the free zones follow their respective authority’s dispute process.
Some of the areas of complaint that fall under MORHE include:
- Delayed or unpaid salary
- Breach of employment terms
- Unpaid overtime
- Contract substitution
- Disputes over final settlements.
Steps To File Your Complaint on MORHE
It is always better to turn towards formal channels before you raise the issue directly. A short, polite message to the HR or the employer asking for clarification is often helpful.
1. Sign in to the MORHE
However, if these steps lead nowhere, the next move is to submit a complaint to MOHRE. MORHE complaint registration can be done through the mobile app, website, call center, or in person at the service center. The process is straightforward in most of the cases, as it takes just a few minutes to register.
You need some documents, like
- Your Emirates ID
- Labor card or work permit number
- With some basic details of your employer.
Once you have submitted all these documents, a one-time password will be sent to your device to confirm the filing. You will receive an MOHRE complaint number and a follow-up phone call within a few days. This number can be used to track your case.
2. Mediation and Resolution Window
Keep in mind that workers who are concerned about retaliation can use the ‘My Salary Complaint’ channel. This allows anonymous reporting, with limitations on what can be pursued.
Once you have logged your complaint, the case is passed to a mediation center. This leads to a call or message to both parties to try to settle the issue quickly, either by phone or by scheduling a meeting. Most cases are resolved within the two-week window, and if the employer admits fault and agrees to settle the dispute, the matter usually ends on the spot.
3. Labor Court Escalation
If your case moves to court, MORHE will issue a referral letter confirming that mediation has ended and that the complaint is now in the hands of the labor court. You will need to file your claim with the court and include supporting documents that need to be translated into Arabic.
Hearing will begin in a few weeks, and the court might request additional documents or clarification, so keep all your materials organized. Most cases are resolved within a few months, depending heavily on how the other side responds.
4. DIFC and Free Zone Employees
The process will differ if the employer is registered in a free zone. Most of the zones handle initial disputes through their own mediation services. They help to find a resolution, they do not have the authority to enforce outcomes. If that stage does not lead to a solution, a no-objection letter is issued, and the case moves to court.
DIFC has its own legal framework, and claims are handled by either the Small Claims Tribunal or the Court of First Instance. This depends on the value and complexity of the dispute. Each of them has its own procedures, so this helps to check the rules that apply to your situation.
Outcomes and Enforcement
If the case is successful, the court will order the employer to pay back the wages, leave balances, end-of-service dues, and all the related fines. Employees can often transfer to another sponsor without needing an NOC.
If the employer does not comply, MORHE may step in to enforce payment or freeze their permits. In serious cases, the company can even be blacklisted, affecting their ability to hire or renew visas until there is a final statement.
Rules For Labor While The Case is Ongoing
After you have filed a complaint against the employer and your case is in process, you are not allowed to leave the UAE premises, and in many cases, MORHE issues a temporary work permit for you to take up another job during that time. These permits are usually granted if the complaint is registered and the original employer is no longer paying you the salary or has blocked all the transfers.
If the claim involves unpaid wages, MORHE may also issue an order requiring the employer to continue salary payments for up to two months, but this depends on the circumstances and whether the employer is still operational.
Common Delays and Ways You Can Avoid Them
Most of the cases are resolved through mediation long before they are sent to court. Things get delayed if the key documents are missing or the claims are unclear.
How to avoid this
Keeping a well-prepared file with dates, amounts, and all records in written format makes the process easier to move forward. This often saves time.
Conclusion
Laborers who file a complaint against employer with MORHE may feel stressed at first, but the right step is to report them if the workplace fails to solve the issue directly. This process is designed to help laborers, protect their rights, and encourage fair resolution. Through your documents being ready, understanding of the rights, and following the right path, you can move through the process confidently.
FAQs
What is a MOHRE complaint?
A MOHRE complaint is a formal way for an employee in the UAE to report a workplace issue when talking to the employer does not solve the problem.
When should I file a complaint?
You should file a complaint when your employer breaks labor rules, and informal talks or HR discussions do not lead to a solution.
What types of issues can I complain about?
Common issues include unpaid salary, unpaid overtime, contract changes, and problems with final settlement or end-of-service benefits.
How do I file a complaint with MOHRE?
You can file it through the MOHRE app, website, call center, or service center. You will need your Emirates ID and employer details.
What happens after I submit my complaint?
MOHRE usually tries to settle the issue through mediation first. If the problem is not resolved, the case may be sent to the labor court.
