Published: 10 August 2026
Quick Answer
To file a MOHRE labour complaint in the UAE, you can use the MOHRE app or website (Services then Service Directory then Service For Employee), call the MOHRE call centre on 600590000, or use the labour claims hotline on 80084. Online and app complaints ask you to confirm whether your employment has ended, whether you were paid according to your contract, and to describe your complaint before you submit it and receive a Complaint Reference Number. For unpaid wages specifically, you generally have two years from when the wages became due to file a claim under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, so do not wait if you believe you are owed salary.
The Three Official Ways to File a Complaint
1. MOHRE app or website (recommended for most complaints)
Go to the MOHRE website, select Services, then Service Directory, then Service For Employee to see the available complaint options for private-sector employees. On the MOHRE app, register or log in using UAE Pass or your Transaction Number/Emirates ID, go to your Dashboard, select Service, then Employees, then the Complaint icon, and follow the prompts. Domestic worker cases have a separate “Domestic Worker Complaint” option in the same menu.
2. Phone
The MOHRE call centre operates on 600590000 and handles labour complaints, salary questions, and general guidance in multiple languages. If the call centre agent cannot resolve your issue on the call, it is forwarded internally to MOHRE’s Department of Complaints and Advice for further handling. A separate labour claims and advisory line is available on 80084 for questions specifically about labour claims.
3. In writing through MOHRE’s online feedback service
MOHRE also offers a “Submission of Comments, Complaints and Inquiries” e-service on its website for service-related feedback and questions, which is separate from the formal labour complaint you file for an unresolved employment issue like unpaid wages.
Step-by-Step: Filing a Complaint Online or on the App
- Log in. On the app, register or sign in using UAE Pass, or your Transaction Number and Emirates ID.
- Navigate to the complaint form. On the app: Dashboard, then Service, then Employees, then the Complaint icon. On the website: Services, then Service Directory, then Service For Employee.
- Confirm your employment status. You will be asked whether your employment has ended (yes or no).
- Confirm your salary status. You will be asked whether your salary matches what is stated in your labour contract (yes or no). This is where an unpaid or short-paid salary complaint starts.
- Describe your complaint. Add clear, specific remarks: what you are owed, for what period, and any relevant dates. Select the complaint type that matches your situation.
- Submit. Click Register Complaint. You will receive confirmation that the complaint was registered along with a Complaint Reference Number. Keep this number, since you will need it to track your case.
- Wait for MOHRE’s initial review. A MOHRE employee reviews the complaint, typically contacts you to confirm the details, and then approaches your employer to attempt an amicable resolution.
Keep your Emirates ID, labour card, and Complaint Reference Number ready throughout the process so you can respond quickly if MOHRE contacts you or if you need to check your case status.
The Two-Year Deadline for Unpaid Wage Claims
Under Article 54(9) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations, a worker generally has two years from the date a wage or other financial entitlement became due to bring a claim relating to it. This applies to unpaid or underpaid salary, end-of-service gratuity, and other financial dues arising from the employment relationship. If you believe you are owed wages, file your complaint as early as possible rather than waiting, since a claim raised after the limitation period can be time-barred regardless of how clear the underlying entitlement is.
If your employment has already ended, note that some related processes, such as certain visa or status matters, carry their own separate short deadlines. The wage claim limitation period under Article 54(9) is about the underlying financial entitlement and runs on its own two-year clock from when each payment fell due.
How WPS Records Support Your Complaint
The Wage Protection System (WPS) requires most private-sector employers to pay salaries through an approved electronic system that reports each payment to MOHRE. This creates a real, verifiable record of who was paid, how much, and when.
When you file an unpaid-salary complaint, MOHRE and, if the case escalates, the Labour Court can check WPS records against what your employer claims. A pattern of missed, late, or short WPS payments is strong supporting evidence for your complaint, and repeated WPS violations can themselves trigger separate penalties against the employer, independent of your individual complaint. If your salary has not been paid on time, keep your own record of your bank statements and payslips alongside the Complaint Reference Number, since this strengthens your case if MOHRE or the court needs to compare records.
MOHRE’s Binding-Decision Authority for Claims Under AED 50,000
Since January 2024, MOHRE has held binding-decision authority over labour claims valued at AED 50,000 or below. In practice, this means MOHRE can issue a decision that resolves many smaller wage and entitlement disputes directly, without the case needing to go to Labour Court first. This threshold was introduced specifically to give workers with smaller, more straightforward claims a faster path to a resolution than a full court case.
If your claim is above this threshold, or if either party disputes MOHRE’s decision on an eligible claim, the case can still proceed to the Labour Court for judicial resolution.
What Happens If Mediation Fails: Moving to Labour Court
If MOHRE’s attempt to mediate an amicable resolution between you and your employer does not succeed, and the claim is not resolved through MOHRE’s binding-decision authority, the Department of Complaints and Advice refers the case forward so you can file an official labour claim. From there, the matter can proceed to the Labour Court, which has the authority to review the evidence, including WPS records, your contract, and MOHRE’s own file on the complaint, and issue a binding judgment.
Labour Court cases involving wages are generally exempt from court fees for the employee for claims up to a certain value, reflecting the UAE’s approach of keeping wage-dispute access affordable for workers. Because the process moves from MOHRE mediation to a formal claim, and potentially to court, filing your original MOHRE complaint promptly and keeping thorough documentation from day one makes the entire path faster if your case needs to go the distance.
Table: MOHRE Complaint Process at a Glance
| Stage | What happens | Typical evidence needed |
|---|---|---|
| File complaint (app, website, or phone) | You submit details and receive a Complaint Reference Number | Emirates ID, labour card, contract, salary details |
| MOHRE review and contact | A MOHRE employee reviews your complaint and may call to confirm details | Your Complaint Reference Number, clear description of the issue |
| Employer mediation | MOHRE approaches your employer to seek an amicable resolution | WPS payment history, payslips, bank statements |
| MOHRE binding decision (claims up to AED 50,000) | MOHRE can issue a direct, binding resolution for eligible claims | Same documentation, reviewed by MOHRE |
| Labour Court referral | If mediation fails or the claim exceeds the threshold, the case proceeds to court | Full case file: contract, WPS records, MOHRE complaint history |
What Kinds of Issues MOHRE Complaints Cover
A MOHRE labour complaint is not limited to unpaid salary. Private-sector employees commonly use the same process for:
- Unpaid or delayed wages, including partial payments that do not match the contract.
- Unpaid end-of-service gratuity after the employment relationship ends.
- Unauthorized deductions from salary that are not permitted under the employment contract or labour law.
- Failure to provide the leave, allowances, or benefits stated in the contract.
- Working conditions that breach the terms of the labour contract, such as forced changes to job role or working hours without agreement.
- Disputes over notice periods, resignation, or termination that the employee believes were handled incorrectly.
Because the same online form covers this range of issues, be specific in the remarks section of your complaint about exactly which entitlement you believe was not honored and for what period, since a vague description slows down MOHRE’s initial review.
How to Strengthen Your Complaint Before You File
Employees who prepare their documentation before submitting a complaint generally see a faster and clearer response from MOHRE. Before you file:
- Gather your employment contract. MOHRE and the Labour Court both rely on the contract as the baseline for what you are owed.
- Collect your salary history. Bank statements or payslips covering at least the last several months help show a pattern, not just a single missed payment.
- Note the WPS record for your account. Since employers are required to pay through the Wage Protection System, MOHRE can independently check whether your salary was actually transferred on time, so your own records and the WPS data should line up.
- Write a clear, dated timeline. List the dates salary was due, the dates it was actually paid (or not paid), and any communication you had with your employer about it.
- Save any written communication with your employer. Emails, messages, or letters about the unpaid amount support your case if the matter proceeds beyond MOHRE’s initial mediation.
This preparation matters most if your claim is close to or above the AED 50,000 binding-decision threshold, since a case that moves to Labour Court will be assessed on the strength of the documentation you and your employer each present.
What to Do If Your Employment Has Already Ended
If you have already left your job and believe you are owed unpaid wages or end-of-service gratuity, you can still file a MOHRE complaint. The online and app complaint form specifically asks whether your employment has ended as one of its first questions, so this scenario is directly built into the standard process. Do not assume that leaving the company or the country closes the door on a valid wage claim; the two-year limitation period under Article 54(9) is what governs your window to act, not your current employment status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is filing a MOHRE labour complaint free?
Yes. MOHRE’s complaint service is free to use, whether filed through the app, website, or by phone.
How long do I have to file an unpaid salary complaint?
Generally two years from the date each wage payment became due, under Article 54(9) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. File as soon as possible rather than waiting, since claims raised after the limitation period can be time-barred.
What is the MOHRE call centre number?
The main MOHRE call centre operates on 600590000. A separate labour claims and advisory hotline is available on 80084.
Do I need UAE Pass to file a complaint on the app?
You can log in using UAE Pass, or alternatively using your Transaction Number together with your Emirates ID.
What is a Complaint Reference Number and why does it matter?
It is the tracking number MOHRE issues immediately after you submit a complaint. Keep it, since you need it to check your case status and to reference the complaint in any follow-up contact with MOHRE.
Can MOHRE resolve my complaint without going to court?
Yes, for eligible claims valued at AED 50,000 or below, MOHRE has held binding-decision authority since January 2024 and can issue a direct resolution. Larger or disputed claims can proceed to the Labour Court.
What evidence should I gather before filing?
Your Emirates ID, labour card, employment contract, and any payslips or bank statements showing what you were paid and when. WPS records provide an independent, verifiable record of your salary payment history.
Can I file a complaint if I have already resigned or been terminated?
Yes. The complaint form asks whether your employment has ended as a standard question, and the two-year limitation period governs your filing window regardless of your current employment status.
What happens after I submit my complaint?
A MOHRE employee reviews the details, typically contacts you to confirm them, and then approaches your employer to try to resolve the matter directly. If that does not succeed, the case can move toward a binding MOHRE decision or a Labour Court referral, depending on the claim value.
Do domestic workers use the same complaint process?
Domestic worker cases have their own specific option within the same MOHRE app and website complaint menu, and carry some different rules, including a 48-hour window to report if a domestic worker has left the workplace without the employer’s knowledge.
If you run or manage a business and need to make sure your own invoices hold up to scrutiny, Qaspro Global’s guide on How to Verify a TRN in the UAE (2026) explains how to check a Tax Registration Number on the FTA’s EmaraTax portal before accepting an invoice.
Related Reading
- UAE Wage Protection System 2026: MOHRE Resolution 340
- UAE Work Permit Categories 2026: MOHRE Guide
- UAE Labour Card Download 2026
- UAE Employment Visa Cost 2026
- UAE Visa Cancellation Grace Period 2026
If you are unsure how to prepare your documents before filing a MOHRE complaint, or need help understanding your rights around unpaid wages, contact Yalah Dubai on WhatsApp and our team can walk you through the process.