How to file a UAE labour complaint over unpaid salary in 2026

If your employer in the UAE has not paid your salary, you can file a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, known as MOHRE, through its official app or website, or at a service centre. Start by raising the issue in writing with your employer and keeping copies of everything, since a clear paper trail makes your complaint much stronger. Do not rely on verbal promises alone, and do not sign any settlement document you do not fully understand.

Before filing, gather the basics. Your employment contract, offer letter, Emirates ID and labour card details establish who you are and what you were promised. Salary slips, bank statements and any messages about pay show what was actually paid and what is missing. A simple timeline helps: what you were owed, for which months, and what the employer said when you raised it.

Raise the issue with your employer in writing first, by email or message, stating the missing amounts and asking for a payment date. This step matters because it creates a record and because some cases resolve at this stage once the employer knows the worker is documenting the issue. Keep a copy of your message and any reply, and note the dates.

File through MOHRE's official channels: its app, its website, or a service centre. You will be asked for your personal and employment details, your employer's details, and a description of the complaint, including the amounts and months involved. Attach or present your evidence, and keep the complaint reference number you receive.

Be precise and factual. State the salary agreed in your contract, the amounts paid, and the amounts outstanding, month by month. Avoid exaggeration or claims you cannot support, since accuracy strengthens your case. If language is a barrier, ask for help from a trusted colleague, a community organisation or a legal adviser to prepare the complaint.

After filing, MOHRE typically contacts the employer and attempts to resolve the matter, often through discussion or mediation. Many straightforward salary complaints settle at this stage, with the employer agreeing to a payment schedule. Keep records of every communication, attend any appointments you are given, and respond promptly to requests for further documents.

If the employer does not cooperate or disputes the claim, the case may move to further steps, which can include referral to the labour court. Court processes take longer and may involve fees and legal representation, so understand the next step before agreeing to it. Throughout, keep working normally unless an official body advises otherwise, and keep your own attendance records.

It also helps to understand what a settlement usually contains, so you can judge any offer the employer makes. A settlement should state the total amount owed, the payment dates, and whether it covers all outstanding salary, end-of-service benefits and any other entitlements, or only part of them. Read the full document before signing, check that the amounts match your own records, and keep a signed copy. If an offer covers only part of what you are owed, consider whether accepting it closes the matter entirely, since signing a full and final settlement generally prevents a later claim for the remainder.

Protect yourself during the process. Do not hand your passport or original documents to anyone who is not authorised to hold them, and be wary of agents who promise a fast result for a fee. Do not sign resignation letters, settlement agreements or blank documents under pressure. If you are asked to sign something, ask for time to read it, get a copy, and seek advice if anything is unclear.

Watch for retaliation risks. If your employer threatens dismissal, cancels your visa or withholds documents because you complained, note the dates and details and raise them with the authorities handling your case. Workers have protections under UAE labour law, but those protections depend on documented facts, so your records matter more than your account of a conversation.

While your complaint is running, think about your next steps. Keep your CV current, gather employment references from colleagues or supervisors where possible, and save copies of your contract and salary records somewhere safe outside your work devices. If you decide to change employer, check the rules on work permits and notice periods that apply to your situation before resigning.

A salary dispute is stressful, but a documented, factual complaint through official channels is the strongest route available. Avoid informal agents and social media posts that could weaken your case, and rely on the ministry process and, where needed, qualified legal advice for your specific circumstances.

If you are looking for your next UAE role, apply through SteadStaff with an up-to-date CV and your employment history. You will be matched against openings that fit your experience, and a recruiter can explain the documentation employers usually request. There is no guaranteed placement, and every offer depends on the employer.