Yes, one of the most common and vital services offered by experienced labour lawyers in Dubai is assisting employees in recovering unpaid salaries and end-of-service dues. Withholding wages is a direct violation of UAE Labour Law, and affected employees have a full legal right to claim back their money—whether through negotiation, mediation, or legal action. This issue affects thousands of workers annually across various sectors in Dubai, from blue-collar employees to corporate professionals.
This comprehensive guide explains how Dubai lawyers handle salary recovery cases, the documentation you’ll need, the process to follow, and how to maximize your chances of getting the full amount you’re legally entitled to.
1. What Counts as Unpaid Salary or Dues?
Unpaid salary issues can arise in various forms, including:
- Full monthly salary not paid
- Partial payment of salary
- Delayed salaries over several months
- Non-payment of overtime, commissions, or incentives
- Failure to pay end-of-service gratuity
- Deducting unjustified amounts from wages
- Non-payment of leave salary, final settlements, or bonuses
- Employer refusal to reimburse costs like flights or allowances
Regardless of the amount, if you’re owed money under your employment contract or UAE law, labour lawyers in Dubai can help initiate and manage the recovery process.
2. Legal Rights Under UAE Labour Law
Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, every employee in the UAE is entitled to:
- Full and timely payment of salary (typically by the end of each month)
- Overtime pay when working beyond legal working hours
- Gratuity for each year of service after 12 months of employment
- Accrued and unpaid annual leave salary upon termination
- Other contractual entitlements (bonuses, commissions, housing allowances, etc.)
Employers who fail to meet these obligations may face government penalties, labour court judgments, or even criminal charges in severe cases. Dubai lawyers ensure these rights are not just understood—but enforced.
3. First Steps to Take as an Employee
If your employer delays or refuses to pay your wages or dues, take the following steps immediately:
a. Document the Issue
Maintain detailed records of missed or partial salary payments, including bank statements, payslips, and salary agreements.
b. Communicate Professionally
Send an email or written message to HR or management requesting clarification and immediate payment. Keep copies of all correspondence.
c. Avoid Emotional Confrontation
Handle all communications professionally. Labour lawyers in Dubai often use these written exchanges later as supporting evidence.
d. Seek Legal Advice
If internal resolution fails, book a consultation with a qualified Dubai lawyer. Acting early reduces risks and improves the chances of recovering your money without lengthy court battles.
4. Filing a Complaint with MOHRE
For employees working in mainland Dubai (non-free zones), the first legal step is filing a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
The process includes:
- Submitting a salary complaint via the MOHRE smart app, website, or call center (80060)
- Attending a mediation session within 7–10 days
- Presenting documents and proof of unpaid wages
- Attempting to resolve the matter amicably with your employer
If the employer agrees to settle, the case is closed. If not, MOHRE issues a referral letter, allowing the employee to take the case to Dubai Labour Court.
Labour lawyers in Dubai can handle this entire process for you—drafting the complaint, organizing evidence, attending mediation, and ensuring legal compliance.
5. MOHRE Wage Protection System (WPS)
The UAE uses the Wage Protection System (WPS) to monitor private-sector salary payments. If your employer has failed to pay via WPS or has reported false data, they can face:
- Fines and sanctions
- Company license suspension
- Travel bans on company owners or managers
- Denial of new work permits
Dubai lawyers often initiate salary claims by checking the employer’s WPS records and using them to prove delayed or missing payments.
6. Taking the Case to Labour Court
If mediation fails, labour lawyers in Dubai help escalate the matter to the Labour Court. This formal legal process includes:
- Preparing the claim file and Arabic translations
- Calculating total unpaid dues
- Presenting evidence such as contracts, bank transfers, and communications
- Attending hearings on your behalf
- Responding to employer defenses
The Labour Court will issue a binding judgment, which can include the full unpaid salary, interest in some cases, legal costs, and additional compensation for arbitrary withholding.
7. Can I Claim Additional Compensation?
Yes. Apart from the unpaid salary, you may be entitled to:
- Notice period compensation: if terminated without proper notice
- End-of-service gratuity: calculated based on basic salary and years served
- Leave salary: for unused annual leave days
- Moral damages: in rare cases involving extreme hardship or reputational damage
- Flight ticket cost: for expatriate repatriation (if contractually agreed)
Experienced labour lawyers in Dubai ensure every eligible amount is included in the claim. They also ensure the employer does not try to reduce the payout unlawfully.
8. What If I Resigned?
Resigning does not cancel your legal rights. Even if you voluntarily left the job, your employer must still:
- Pay your final salary
- Clear all dues within 14 days
- Provide end-of-service benefits (if served more than 1 year)
- Process your visa cancellation
- Repatriate you, if applicable
If any of these steps are missed or delayed, Dubai lawyers can assist in initiating a complaint and filing for dues recovery.
9. What If I Was Terminated?
If you were terminated and didn’t receive full dues, you can still file a claim within 12 months of termination. Even if your visa is cancelled or you’re no longer in the UAE, labour lawyers in Dubai can:
- File the case under a power of attorney
- Represent you remotely
- Receive and transfer the court-awarded dues to your account
Even if your contract was limited-term, you’re still eligible for compensation if the employer terminated you prematurely or failed to pay full benefits.
10. Free Zone Employees – Different Process?
Yes. If you worked in a Dubai free zone, you must first lodge your complaint with the respective free zone authority (e.g., DIFC, JAFZA, DMCC).
Each free zone has its own dispute resolution mechanism, but if unresolved, the matter can be escalated to the Labour Court with the help of a legal referral letter.
Labour lawyers in Dubai who specialize in free zone jurisdictions understand how to navigate their internal rules and push for faster resolution.
11. How Long Does It Take to Recover Salary?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of the case:
- Internal resolution or legal notice: 3–7 days
- MOHRE mediation: 1–2 weeks
- Labour Court proceedings: 2–5 months
- Enforcement of court judgment: 1–4 weeks
Cases supported by solid documentation (e.g., salary slips, bank transfers, contract) move faster. Dubai lawyers are trained to minimize delays and present your case effectively at every stage.
12. What If the Employer Refuses to Pay After Judgment?
If the Labour Court issues a judgment in your favor but the employer still refuses to pay:
- Your lawyer can request judgment enforcement
- Court may freeze the employer’s bank accounts
- Legal notices may be sent to collect from company assets
- The employer can be banned from travel or denied government services
Labour lawyers in Dubai know how to apply legal pressure effectively to compel payment without prolonged enforcement battles.
13. Cost of Legal Representation
Hiring a lawyer to recover unpaid salary is affordable compared to what’s at stake. Typical costs include:
- Consultation fee: AED 500–1,000
- MOHRE representation: AED 2,000–5,000
- Court litigation: AED 8,000–15,000 (depending on complexity)
Some Dubai lawyers offer flexible payment terms or deferred payment options, especially when large dues are involved. Legal fees can also be claimed back from the employer in some cases.
Final Thoughts
If your employer owes you money, don’t stay silent. Delayed salaries, unpaid benefits, and unfulfilled contractual promises are not only unethical—they’re illegal. UAE labour law is on your side, and you have every right to demand fair compensation.
But filing a claim requires more than just frustration—it requires a clear, lawful strategy. That’s where experienced labour lawyers in Dubai make a difference. They’ll help you gather proof, file the right complaints, represent you in court, and make sure your hard-earned money doesn’t go unpaid.
Let the right Dubai lawyers lead the way—so your rights aren’t just protected, but fully enforced.
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