“Where do I complain?” sounds like a simple question. In the UAE, the responsible route can depend on who issued the work permit, whether the employer is in a free zone, and whether the work is private-sector employment, domestic work or government employment.
The safest first step is not to choose a form from a search result. Identify the employment regime from the documents.
Find the route markers
Look at the employment contract, work permit, offer letter, visa or sponsorship record and employer licence. Record:
- employer’s exact legal name;
- licence or free-zone authority shown;
- work permit number and issuing authority;
- workplace and emirate;
- job type; and
- whether the worker is employed by a private company, household or government entity.
Do not upload identity documents to an unknown adviser just to answer this routing question. The issuing authority and employer details are often enough for an initial official enquiry.
Mainland private-sector employment
For businesses registered with MoHRE, the UAE Government directs workers to MoHRE’s complaint services and Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre. The worker should keep the contract, payment records and a factual summary ready.
Free-zone employment
The UAE Government says free-zone employees are connected to the rules and authority of the relevant free zone, and lists a dedicated free-zone complaint route among worker services. Free zones are not all the same. Record the named authority on the permit rather than using “free zone” as if it were one organisation.
Domestic work and government employment
Domestic-worker disputes have their own MoHRE complaint service. Government employees use the grievance framework applicable to the relevant federal or local entity. A generic private-sector complaint checklist should not be presented as covering these regimes.
What to ask the official adviser
When contacting an official channel, keep the question narrow:
My permit or contract was issued by [authority]. The employer is [legal name] and the workplace is in [emirate]. Which complaint service and employment regime applies, and what reference documents should I prepare?
Write down the response, date, channel and reference number. If the answer changes the route, keep that record with the case file.
Frequently asked questions
Are all UAE employment complaints filed through the same form?
No. Private-sector, free-zone, domestic-worker and government routes can differ.
How do I know whether the employer is in a free zone?
Check the employer licence, contract and issuing authority on the work permit, then confirm with the named authority.
Can CaseDaleel choose the authority from a company nickname?
No. Routing should use the employer’s legal and permit details, with confirmation from the official authority where unclear.
What if I cannot identify the regime?
Contact MoHRE’s Labour Claims and Advisory Call Centre on 80084 or the authority named on the permit and ask which service applies.