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PRACTICE AREA — LABOR LAW

Labour Lawyer Dubai

A labour dispute can affect your salary, employment and what happens after you leave. A labour lawyer in Dubai can assist with unpaid wages, termination disputes, MOHRE complaints, end-of-service settlements, non-compete clauses and other employment matters. Almajd Justice reviews your employment documents and circumstances, explains your legal position and advises you on the appropriate next step.

No obligation to proceed.
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MATTERS WE HANDLE

Common Labour and Employment Matters We Handle

Employment disputes are not limited to termination. Salary payments, contracts, end-of-service benefits, restrictive clauses and the process used to resolve a dispute can all affect your position.

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We review your employment documents before advising on your position.
01

Unpaid Salary and WPS Violations

If your salary has not been paid on time, or your employer has failed to meet applicable Wage Protection System (WPS) requirements, the issue may require action through the appropriate labour channels. Almajd Justice can review your employment contract, salary records and payment history and advise you on the available options for recovering unpaid wages.

02

Wrongful or Arbitrary Termination

Being dismissed does not automatically mean the termination was unlawful, but the reason for termination and circumstances surrounding it matter. We can review your employment contract, termination notice, communications and other relevant records to assess whether the termination may give rise to a legal claim and explain the available options.

03

End-of-Service Settlement Disputes

Your final settlement may include salary, unused leave, end-of-service gratuity and other amounts depending on your circumstances. If you disagree with your employer's calculation, Almajd Justice can review the settlement and supporting records to identify where the figures may differ. Related: UAE Gratuity Calculator

04

Non-Compete Clauses

A non-compete clause may restrict certain activities after employment ends, but its enforceability depends on the applicable legal requirements and the circumstances of the employment relationship. We can review the wording of your employment contract and the circumstances of your departure and explain how the clause may affect you.

05

Employment Contract Disputes

Your employment contract sets out important terms relating to your role, salary, working arrangements and other obligations. A labor lawyer in Dubai can review the contract where you believe the terms being applied by your employer differ from what was agreed or where you need to understand your rights before signing or responding.

06

Limited and Unlimited Contracts

The UAE labour framework distinguishes between fixed-term employment contracts and other contractual arrangements. Under the current labour law, employment contracts are generally required to be for a specified period. If you are dealing with an older contract described as "unlimited," Almajd Justice can review the document and circumstances to determine which legal rules apply to your employment relationship.

07

Mainland and Free Zone Employment Disputes

Not every employee in the UAE falls under exactly the same employment framework. Mainland private-sector employment is generally governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, while certain free zones have their own employment regulations or authorities. We can assess where you work, which rules govern your employment and which authority you may need to approach before taking action.

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HOW A CASE PROCEEDS

How a Labour Dispute Is Handled

For most mainland private-sector employment disputes, the process can begin with a complaint through MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).

01

Consultation

You explain the employment issue and provide the relevant documents, such as your contract, salary records, termination letter or correspondence with your employer.

02

Assessment

We assess the facts, employment documents and applicable labour rules to establish your position and identify the appropriate course of action.

03

Strategy & Filing

Where a formal complaint or claim is appropriate, we explain the process and assist with the relevant filing and representation.

A consultation meeting between a client and an advisor
From first consultation to filing, we keep you informed at every stage.

How to File a Labour Complaint With MOHRE

For employees covered by MOHRE, a labour complaint can generally be submitted through the Ministry's available complaint channels. MOHRE may attempt to resolve the dispute between the employee and employer before the matter proceeds further.

The documents and procedure can vary depending on the dispute. Almajd Justice can assess your circumstances, help identify the relevant claim and assist with the complaint process where appropriate.

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We prepare your complaint before it is ever submitted to MOHRE.

How Long Does MOHRE Take to Resolve a Labour Complaint?

The applicable timeline depends on the dispute and whether it can be resolved through the Ministry's dispute-resolution process. Under the UAE Labour Law, MOHRE has authority to examine and decide certain labour disputes within the statutory framework, with matters meeting the relevant conditions potentially proceeding to court.

Employment Dispute
→
MOHRE Complaint
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Attempted Settlement
→
MOHRE Decision / Referral
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Court, Where Applicable

Documents You Will Need

Depending on your dispute, prepare:

You do not necessarily need every document before seeking an initial assessment.

Time Limits for Labour Claims in the UAE

Labour claims are subject to statutory time limits. Under Article 54(7) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023, a claim for any rights arising under the Labour Law cannot be heard after two years from the date on which the employment relationship ends.

This means that waiting too long after leaving employment can affect your ability to pursue a claim. Other procedural deadlines can also apply depending on the nature and stage of the dispute.

If you are considering a claim for unpaid salary, wrongful termination or an end-of-service settlement, the relevant dates should be reviewed before deciding how to proceed.

WHY ALMAJD JUSTICE

Why Choose Almajd Justice?

Employment disputes can involve both immediate financial concerns and longer-term consequences. Almajd Justice focuses on understanding the employment relationship first, so you know what your documents and circumstances mean before deciding how to proceed.

Fixed-Fee Consultation

You know the consultation fee before proceeding. Your initial legal consultation is provided at a fixed fee, with no obligation to instruct Almajd Justice for further services.

No Obligation to Proceed

The consultation gives you the opportunity to understand your legal position before making a decision. You are not required to continue with further representation after receiving the initial advice.

Arabic and English

You can discuss your employment matter in Arabic or English, making it easier to explain what happened and understand the legal advice provided.

Consultation → Assessment → Strategy & Filing

The process remains clear from the start. We first understand the employment issue, assess the relevant documents and legal position, then explain the appropriate strategy and any filing or representation that may be required.

FAQ

Questions About Labour and Employment Disputes

Employment disputes often involve questions about termination, unpaid salary, MOHRE complaints and end-of-service payments. These answers address some of the issues employees and employers commonly need to understand before taking action.

A labour complaint can generally be submitted through MOHRE's available complaint channels for employees covered by the Ministry's jurisdiction. The Ministry may attempt to resolve the dispute before it proceeds further. The required documents depend on the complaint, but employment and salary records are commonly relevant.
Under Article 54(7) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as amended by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2023, a claim for rights arising under the UAE Labour Law cannot be heard after two years from the date the employment relationship ends.
You may be able to challenge a termination depending on the reason for dismissal, the circumstances and the applicable provisions of UAE labour law. A lawyer can review your employment contract, termination notice, communications and other evidence to assess whether the termination may give rise to a legal claim.
If your employer has failed to pay your salary, you can raise the matter through the appropriate labour complaint process where MOHRE has jurisdiction. Keep your employment contract, bank records, payslips and communications with your employer. These documents can help establish the amount owed and the history of non-payment.
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is an electronic system used to monitor the payment of wages by employers covered by the system. If your employer fails to comply with applicable wage-payment requirements, you may have grounds to raise the issue through the relevant labour authority.
For eligible foreign workers covered by Article 51 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, gratuity is generally calculated using the last basic wage: 21 days' basic wage for each of the first five years and 30 days for each additional year, subject to the applicable conditions and statutory limits. You can use our UAE Gratuity Calculator for an initial estimate.
A non-compete clause may be enforceable when it meets the requirements under UAE labour law, including conditions relating to the nature of the work, geographical area and duration. The clause must also be reasonably necessary to protect the employer's legitimate business interests. Its wording and your circumstances should be reviewed individually.
UAE Labour Law introduced a framework based on fixed-term employment contracts, and employers were required to transition existing arrangements to comply with the new system. If you still have an older contract described as "unlimited," the document and employment dates should be reviewed to determine which provisions apply.
Not necessarily. Mainland private-sector employees generally fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, while certain free zones have their own employment regulations and authorities. The applicable rules depend on the employer's registration and the employee's employment arrangement, so the relevant jurisdiction should be established first.
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