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In Dubai, filing a labour complaint is a formal, legally regulated process designed to safeguard employees’ rights while ensuring employers meet their obligations. You can file a labour dispute in Dubai with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) via their website, app, or call centre (80084). The majority of complaints are settled through conciliation within 14 days. If MOHRE fails to resolve an issue between an employee and employer, the labour court steps in to resolve it. In some cases, MOHRE gives a ruling first—and if you don’t agree with that decision, you have 15 working days to appeal it.
This article walks you through how to file a labour complaint in the UAE, shows you how to check the status of your MOHRE complaint, and explains what employers can do to reduce their risks. Auxilium brings over 20 years of GCC compliance experience, showing that strong compliance practices from the start can help prevent disputes before they arise.
Why Complaints to MOHRE are Important Both for Employers and Employees
Filing a labour complaint in Dubai is more than a legal step—it’s a way to make sure employment is fair. Employees can file a complaint when they perceive a violation of their rights. This gives employers a chance to respond and resolve the issue before it turns into a bigger problem. Both sides need to know how this process works.
- Employees gain clarity on wages, end-of-service benefits, and termination disputes.
- Not to mention that by complying with UAE labour laws, employers strengthen their reputation and avoid penalties.
- Executives who wish to relocate to the UAE can avoid fines by creating compliant HR structures from the beginning.
How to File a Labour Complaint in Dubai
Thinking about filing a complaint? To begin, check if you’re covered, collect the documents you will need and learn how to submit them properly. This approach improves the chances of an efficient resolution of your case.
1. Check if you have the right to do so
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is responsible for most private sector workers in Dubai. If you are employed in special financial free zones like DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) or ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), they have their own courts and laws. Identify which authority can handle your case before filing a complaint.
2. Get your papers ready
In any complaint, there must be strong evidence. You should obtain copies of IDs, contracts, pay stubs or WPS transfer proofs, and letters. Employers should keep accurate records of payroll, approved leave, overtime, and any notices of termination.
3. Send your application through official MOHRE channels
You can file a complaint through more than one MOHRE channel. The first choice is through the MOHRE website (eServices). You can also do it through the Labour Claims & Advisory hotline (80084) or the MOHRE mobile app. Each channel has its advantages. For example, hotlines offer support in multiple languages, while digital portals are better for uploading documents.
4. Amicable settlement (14-day conciliation)
MOHRE aims for conciliation and tries to resolve disputes within 14 days. In Dubai, the timeline is often shorter; with accelerated settlement models, it can last only 10 days. If conciliation doesn’t work, MOHRE prepares a referral memo for the labour court.
5. Escalation and decisions
If the issue isn’t resolved, the next steps will depend on the amount of the money in the claim. For claims of up to AED 50,000, MOHRE can make a final decision. If you don’t agree, you have 15 working days to appeal.
- For claims of up to ≤ AED 50,000: MOHRE may issue a final decision. If you don’t agree, you have 15 working days to appeal.
- Larger claims are sent to court, where the first hearing is scheduled within 3 working days.
- If the claim is under AED 100,000: workers (or heirs) don’t have to pay court fees
How Can You Check Your MOHRE Complaint Status
Tracking the status of your labour complaint keeps you updated and promotes transparency for both employees and employers. MOHRE offers several ways to check your MOHRE complaint status:
- Online (using the Transactions Inquiry Service): Enter your complaint reference to see the latest updates.
- MOHRE App: Navigate to Application/Transaction Status to obtain real-time information.
- Phone: Call 80084 or 600-590000. Provide a reference number to receive an update from a support agent.
If you keep your reference number and have SMS notifications turned on, it is easier for you to accelerate the process and avoid miscommunication.
MOHRE Compliance Checklist for Employers
For employers, labour complaints often highlight gaps in contracts, payroll systems, or HR processes. Prevention is cheaper than handling disputes when they become more serious.
Best practices include:
- Ensuring job offers match contracts.
- Submitting accurate and timely WPS payroll files.
- Keeping a written record of leaves, overtime, and terminations.
- Responding promptly during the 14-day conciliation window.
What risks should be avoided?
- Ignoring mediator support.
- Not filing an appeal within 15 days.
- Not giving employees their legal pay or benefits.
- Putting the wrong labels on workers to deny their rights.
Preventing Complaints Before They Arise
Although the MOHRE complaint process is robust, the best thing to do is to avoid disputes. Auxilium helps companies in the GCC achieve this by integrating compliance into hiring, onboarding, and payroll from day one.
Auxilium ensures that:
- Clear job offers and contracts help reduce onboarding disputes.
- Payroll accuracy of the Wage Protection System ensures employees get paid correctly, which prevents wage-related complaints.
- Exit and settlement playbooks guarantee that end-of-service benefits and unused leave payments are handled correctly, avoiding errors and disputes.
Example: A global client in the infrastructure field couldn’t hire on time in the UAE due to visa quota limits. With Auxilium’s Employer of Record (EOR) model, they onboarded quickly.
Quick Reference
The following information presents an overview of the UAE’s complaint process:
- Where to file: MOHRE website, app, or hotline 80084.
- Settlement target: 14 days (Dubai, ~10 days).
- Escalation: MOHRE decision (≤ AED 50,000) or court referral.
- Appeals: 15 working days to the Court of Appeal.
- Fees: Workers are exempt for claims < AED 100,000.
- Status check: Online, app, or hotline.
The UAE’s labour complaint process aims to protect workers and make sure employers follow the rules. But for companies moving to Dubai, the real challenge seems to be the prevention of disputes and making sure contracts, payroll, and compliance are set up correctly from the very beginning.
Auxilium is the leading Employer of Record in the GCC and helps businesses build HR and payroll systems that meet MOHRE standards. Drawing on 20 years of experience in the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, Auxilium supports business growth while taking care of compliance for you.
Book a free consultation with Auxilium to safeguard your GCC workforce and expansion strategy.
