MOHRE Complaint Letter Generator

If your employer has not paid your salary, gratuity, or other end-of-service dues, a MOHRE complaint letter is how you formally bring the dispute to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Use the generator below to draft yours in minutes, then follow the filing steps, Tawafuq mediation process, and AED 50,000 rule explained further down this page. Updated for 2026.

✓ Updated 2026

FDL 33/2021 cited

Tawafuq mediation

AED 50,000 rule

Salary & gratuity ready

✓ Letter drafted automatically✓ Article 51 & 53 FDL 33/2021 cited✓ MOHRE filing steps included✓ AED 50,000 rule explained

Generate Your MOHRE Complaint Letter

Works for unpaid salary, unpaid gratuity, end-of-service, and contract disputes · Legal basis cited automatically

The preview on the right updates live. The paid version produces a formatted, downloadable PDF ready to send to your employer or attach to your MOHRE complaint.

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22 June 2026

To: [Employer Name]
[Company Address]

Subject: Formal Notice — Unpaid salary / wages, Prior to MOHRE Complaint

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing regarding my employment with your company. My details are as follows:

Employee name: [Full Name]
Emirates ID: [Emirates ID Number]
Employment start date: [Start Date]
Last working day: [Last Working Day]

This letter concerns unpaid salary / wages that remains unresolved.

 This claim is made under Articles 21 and 22 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, which require wages to be paid in full and on time, and the Wage Protection System requirements administered by MOHRE.

I request that this matter be resolved and any outstanding amount be paid within 7 days of the date of this letter. If I do not receive payment or a satisfactory response within this period, I will proceed to file a formal labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), including this letter and supporting evidence as part of my submission.

I would prefer to resolve this matter directly and amicably, and I am open to discussing it with you before taking further steps.

Yours sincerely,
[Full Name]

What Is a MOHRE Complaint Letter?

A MOHRE complaint letter is the written statement of your dispute that accompanies — or forms the basis of — a labour complaint filed with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. It sets out who you are, who your employer is, what went wrong, how much you are owed, and the legal basis for your claim under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Labour Law).

MOHRE itself does not require a formal letter to open a case — you can describe your dispute directly in the app or website complaint form. But a clear, well-structured letter with exact dates, figures, and legal references gives the case officer everything needed to start mediation immediately, rather than requesting clarifications back and forth. It is also useful as a standalone document if you choose to send a notice to your employer before filing, since it creates a dated record of your request.

When Should You File a MOHRE Complaint?

MOHRE handles a wide range of private-sector employment disputes. The most common reasons employees file are:

Unpaid salary

Your employer has missed a payday, paid only part of your salary, or stopped paying entirely, and a direct request to HR or management has not resolved it within a reasonable time.

Unpaid gratuity

You have completed one year or more of continuous service, your employment has ended, and your end-of-service gratuity has not been paid within the 14-day deadline set under Article 53.

End-of-service disputes

Disagreements over notice pay, unused annual leave balance, repatriation costs, or the final settlement figure your employer has offered.

Contract violations

Your employer has changed your role, salary, or working conditions without your written consent, or has not honoured terms set out in your MOHRE-registered contract.

Other employment disputes

Unpaid overtime, unfair termination, denied leave entitlements, or any other issue covered by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 that direct communication with your employer has failed to resolve.

⏱ Don't wait too long

Article 6 of the Labour Law sets a one-year limitation period from your last working day for most labour claims. Filing early, once informal requests to your employer have failed, protects your position.

What Information Should the Complaint Include?

A complaint that is specific and verifiable moves through mediation faster than one that is vague. Include the following:

1

Full name and Emirates ID number

Confirms your identity and lets MOHRE match the complaint to your employment and visa records.

2

Employer name, trade licence/company name, and address

Identifies who the complaint is against and allows MOHRE to contact the company for mediation.

3

Type of dispute (salary, gratuity, end-of-service, contract violation)

MOHRE routes complaints differently depending on category, so stating it clearly speeds up processing.

4

Employment start date and last working day (if applicable)

Establishes the length of service and timeline relevant to gratuity, notice, and limitation calculations.

5

Amount claimed, with a brief calculation or basis

A specific, justified figure is easier for a MOHRE case officer to verify and mediate than a vague request.

6

A short, factual description of the issue

State what happened and when, without exaggeration — MOHRE officers work from the facts and any evidence you provide.

7

Reference to the relevant legal basis

Citing Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (and Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024 for the AED 50,000 rule) shows the claim is grounded in your legal entitlement, not just a request.

8

Supporting evidence list

Attach or reference your contract, payslips, bank statements, and any written correspondence with your employer about the issue.

Step-by-Step MOHRE Complaint Process

Filing is free, does not require a lawyer, and follows the same basic path whether your dispute is over salary, gratuity, or contract terms.

1

Send a written notice to your employer (recommended, not mandatory)

A short letter or message giving 7–14 days to resolve the issue creates a paper trail and resolves many disputes that are simply administrative delays.

2

File your complaint with MOHRE

Submit through the MOHRE smart app, mohre.gov.ae, or the call centre on 600590000. Log in with UAE Pass and select the Labour Complaints – Private Sector category matching your dispute.

3

Tawafuq amicable settlement (mediation)

A MOHRE case officer reviews your complaint and contacts both parties, working toward a settlement within a defined negotiation period — commonly up to 14 working days.

4

Binding decision or court referral

For claims up to AED 50,000, MOHRE can issue a final, enforceable decision directly under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024. For larger claims, or if mediation fails, MOHRE issues a referral letter so you can register your case with the labour court.

5

Court registration (if referred)

If your case is referred, register it with the relevant labour court within the deadline stated on your MOHRE referral letter — typically 14 days. Missing this window can put an otherwise valid claim at risk.

📞 How to file

File online at mohre.gov.ae or via the MOHRE smart app, log in with UAE Pass, and select "Labour Complaints – Private Sector." You can also call the MOHRE contact centre on 600 590000, or visit a MOHRE branch or Tasheel centre in person.

Tawafuq Mediation Explained

Tawafuq is MOHRE's amicable settlement stage — the step that happens between filing your complaint and any binding decision or court referral. Once your complaint is logged, a MOHRE case officer is assigned and contacts both you and your employer to understand each side of the dispute.

The officer reviews the figures, the contract, and any evidence submitted, and works toward a settlement both parties can accept within a defined negotiation window — commonly up to 14 working days. A large share of salary and gratuity disputes are resolved at this stage, because many delays are administrative rather than a genuine refusal to pay.

If Tawafuq mediation succeeds, the agreed settlement is recorded and is generally treated as binding on both parties. If it fails, your case proceeds to the next stage: either a direct MOHRE decision or a referral to the labour court, depending on the value of your claim.

The AED 50,000 Direct Decision Rule

Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, MOHRE was given the authority to issue final, directly enforceable payment decisions for employee claims worth up to AED 50,000, without requiring the case to be heard in court first. This covers the large majority of individual salary and gratuity disputes.

In practice, this means that if Tawafuq mediation does not produce a settlement and your claim falls at or below this threshold, MOHRE itself can decide the case and order your employer to pay — turning the decision into an enforceable order. For claims above AED 50,000, or in more complex disputes, MOHRE instead issues a referral letter so you can register the case with the labour court.

Why this matters for your letter

Stating your claimed amount clearly and citing this rule signals to MOHRE — and to your employer — that the dispute can be resolved quickly through a direct decision, without the delay and cost of a court process.

Documents You Should Prepare

Gathering these before you file saves time once mediation starts, since the case officer will often ask for them directly.

✓Emirates ID copy
✓Passport and visa/work permit copy
✓Signed employment contract (MOHRE-registered if available)
✓Last 3–6 months of salary slips or bank statements showing salary credit
✓Resignation letter or termination letter, whichever applies
✓Any final settlement statement or breakdown given by the employer
✓WhatsApp messages, emails, or other written correspondence about the dispute
✓Your own calculation of the amount owed, with the basis shown
✓Copy of any demand letter you sent and proof of delivery

What Happens After Filing?

After you submit your complaint, MOHRE typically assigns a case number and a case officer within a short period, then opens Tawafuq mediation. You can usually track your case status through the MOHRE app or website.

  • If mediation succeeds — the settlement is recorded and your employer is expected to comply.
  • If your claim is AED 50,000 or below and mediation fails — MOHRE can issue a binding, enforceable decision directly.
  • If your claim exceeds AED 50,000, or is more complex — MOHRE issues a referral letter for the labour court.
  • If referred, you generally have a limited window (commonly 14 days) to register your case with the court.

🛡 If your employer still doesn't pay

Non-compliant employers can be placed on a MOHRE list that restricts the company's ability to sponsor new work permits or renew existing ones. Court judgments are also enforceable through measures such as bank account freezes and asset seizure.

About This Guide

🔄

Updated 2026

Reflects Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, the Tawafuq mediation process, and the AED 50,000 direct decision rule introduced under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024.

🇦🇪

UAE-wide

Written for private-sector employees across the UAE filing through MOHRE. Free zone employees and domestic workers may follow a different complaint framework — check your specific authority.

⚠️

Not legal advice

This guide provides general legal information for non-lawyers. For complex disputes — contested calculations, free zone employment, or counterclaims — consult a UAE-licensed employment lawyer.

External references: MOHRE — mohre.gov.ae · UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a MOHRE complaint letter?▾
Write a short, factual letter or complaint covering your name and Emirates ID, your employer and company name, the nature of the dispute (unpaid salary, gratuity, end-of-service, or contract violation), the amount owed, and the legal basis under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. File it through the MOHRE app, mohre.gov.ae, or the call centre on 600 590000, logging in with UAE Pass and selecting the Labour Complaints category that matches your issue.
Is filing a MOHRE complaint free?▾
Yes. Filing a labour complaint with MOHRE is free of charge for employees, whether submitted through the app, the website, or in person at a MOHRE branch or Tasheel centre. You only encounter fees if your case is later referred to and registered with the labour court.
What is Tawafuq mediation and how does it work?▾
Tawafuq is the amicable settlement stage MOHRE applies before a case is escalated or referred to court. A MOHRE case officer contacts both the employee and employer, reviews the claim and any supporting documents, and tries to reach a settlement within a defined negotiation period, commonly up to 14 working days. Many salary and gratuity disputes are resolved at this stage without further action.
What is the AED 50,000 direct decision rule?▾
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, MOHRE can issue a final, directly enforceable payment decision for employee claims worth up to AED 50,000 without the case needing to go to court. For claims above this threshold, or where mediation fails, MOHRE instead issues a referral letter so the employee can register the case with the labour court.
What happens if my employer ignores the MOHRE complaint?▾
If an employer does not respond during mediation or refuses to comply with a MOHRE decision, MOHRE can refer the case to the labour court for claims above AED 50,000, or proceed toward enforcement for binding decisions within that threshold. Non-compliant employers can also be placed on a MOHRE list that restricts their ability to sponsor new work permits or renew existing ones.

Generate Your MOHRE Complaint Letter Now

Enter your details, get a complete draft citing the relevant articles of Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, and download a formatted letter ready to send or attach to your MOHRE complaint. AED 49.

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Salary, gratuity & contract disputes covered · Tawafuq mediation guidance · AED 50,000 rule explained