How long does a worker have to file a labour claim in the UAE?
Two years from the end of the employment. Article 54 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as amended by Decree-Law No. 9 of 2024, bars claims after that. Disputes go first to MOHRE for amicable settlement, and the Ministry can issue a final decision on claims of AED 50,000 or less.
The route of a dispute
The Ministry tries to settle the dispute. For claims of AED 50,000 or less, or where a party ignores an amicable settlement, the Ministry decides. Either party can ask the Court of Appeal to review that decision within 15 working days of notification, and the court hears it within three working days and decides within 30. Other disputes are referred to the competent court with a Ministry memorandum.
Costs and wages during a dispute
Labour claims are exempt from court fees at all stages, as are worker claims up to AED 100,000 under Article 55. The Ministry can require the employer to keep paying wages for up to two months if a dispute leads to wages being withheld.
How SupaJack Construct helps
Payslips, leave entries, attendance spans and WPS files are kept per employee, so an employer can produce the record behind any figure in a claim.
Related tools and guides
See the UAE labour law guide for contractors, the final settlement calculator, the gratuity calculator, the annual leave calculator, the unpaid leave deduction calculator, payroll and WPS in SupaJack Construct, time and attendance and the meaning of basic salary.
Worked example
A worker's contract ends on 30 June 2025. He believes his overtime was underpaid. He has until 30 June 2027 to raise the claim. If the claim is AED 32,000, MOHRE can decide it, and either side has 15 working days to seek review at the Court of Appeal.
Questions people ask
Is there a fee to file a labour claim?
No. Article 55 exempts labour claims from court fees.
Can MOHRE decide a claim itself?
Yes, up to AED 50,000 or where a settlement is ignored.
When does the two years start?
From the end of the employment relationship.