Employer Not Paying Gratuity in the UAE: How to Claim It
If your employer has not paid the end of service gratuity you are owed, you have a clear route to claim it. This page walks through the practical steps — from a written request to a MOHRE labour complaint and, if needed, the labour court.
Last reviewed: 23 June 2026
Quick answer
If your employer will not pay your gratuity, you can claim it. Start with a written request, then file a labour complaint with MOHRE through its app, website or call centre. MOHRE usually tries to settle the dispute amicably and, if it cannot, refers the case to the labour court. Free zones such as DIFC and ADGM use their own systems, not MOHRE.
On this page
Are you actually owed gratuity?
Before raising a dispute, confirm the amount. End of service gratuity is generally due once you have completed at least one year of continuous service, calculated on your basic salary using the 21/30-day formula and capped at two years' basic wage. Work out a clear figure with the free calculator and the step-by-step UAE gratuity guide, and separate it from other amounts you may be owed in your final settlement — unpaid salary, pay in lieu of notice and unused leave encashment.
Having a specific, documented amount makes every later step easier, because your claim becomes a concrete number rather than a general grievance.
Start with a written request to your employer
The first step is usually the simplest: ask in writing. A short, polite email or letter that states your last working day, your length of service, the gratuity figure you have calculated, and a request for payment creates a record and often resolves the matter without any formal process. Keep copies of everything you send and receive. If the employer disputes the figure, their reply tells you exactly where the disagreement lies, which is useful if you do escalate.
How to file a gratuity complaint with MOHRE (step by step)
If a written request does not work, the usual route for mainland private-sector employees is a labour complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE). The general steps are:
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare your claim | Calculate the gratuity owed and gather your documents (see the checklist below). |
| 2. Register the complaint | Lodge a labour complaint through the MOHRE app, the MOHRE website, the call centre, or an approved Tas-heel typing centre. |
| 3. Provide the details | Give your information, the employer/establishment details, your dates of service and the amount you are claiming. |
| 4. Amicable settlement | MOHRE typically contacts both sides and tries to resolve the dispute amicably (mediation). Many claims end here. |
| 5. Referral to court | If mediation does not settle it, MOHRE generally issues a referral so the case can be filed with the competent labour court. |
Confirm the current process
The exact steps, channels, timeframes, claim thresholds and any court-fee exemptions can change. Confirm the current procedure directly with MOHRE before you act. Domestic workers and free-zone employees may follow different routes.
What happens after you file
Once your complaint is registered, MOHRE's role is to try to bring both parties to an agreement. This amicable-settlement stage is designed to be quicker and less adversarial than court. You may be asked to attend or respond, present your documents, and confirm the amount you are claiming. If the employer pays or both sides agree on a figure, the matter is closed at this stage.
If no agreement is reached, MOHRE does not decide the financial dispute itself — it generally refers the case onward so a court can rule on what is owed.
If it goes to the labour court
When a case is referred, it proceeds to the competent labour court, which reviews the evidence from both sides and issues a decision on the dues. This is the stage where your documentation matters most: a clear contract, salary records and a defensible gratuity calculation support your claim. Many people handle the MOHRE stage themselves, but for the court stage, or for complex or high-value disputes, qualified legal advice can help.
Documents you'll need
- Your employment contract (showing basic salary and start date).
- Emirates ID or passport.
- Pay slips or salary transfer records.
- Your joining date and last working day.
- Your own gratuity calculation showing the amount claimed.
- Any written exchange with the employer about the unpaid amount.
Free zones: DIFC and ADGM are different
The MOHRE route covers mainland private-sector employment. The financial free zones — DIFC and ADGM — operate their own employment regulations and dispute bodies, and DIFC uses a savings scheme (DEWS) rather than a single end of service lump sum. If you work for a DIFC or ADGM entity, your claim follows those frameworks rather than MOHRE, so check the process that applies to your specific free zone.
How long it takes and what it costs
There is no single fixed timeline. Claims that settle at the amicable stage move faster; cases referred to court take longer and depend on the specifics. Registering a complaint with MOHRE is generally free, while later court stages may involve their own procedures, and some labour claims have had fee exemptions. Because these details change, treat any timeframe or fee you read online as a guide only and confirm the current position with MOHRE.
Key takeaways
- An unpaid gratuity after one year of service is a statutory entitlement you can claim — not a discretionary bonus.
- Start with a written request; it creates a record and often resolves things.
- The usual escalation is a MOHRE labour complaint → amicable settlement → labour court referral.
- Strong documentation and a clear calculated figure support your claim at every stage.
- DIFC and ADGM use their own systems, not MOHRE.
- Confirm current steps, timeframes and fees with MOHRE — they can change.
Work out exactly what you're owed
A clear, documented figure is the foundation of any gratuity claim. Calculate yours in seconds.
Open the CalculatorCommon mistakes
- Relying only on verbal requests. Put your request in writing and keep records.
- Claiming a vague amount. Calculate gratuity on basic salary and present a specific figure.
- Mixing up the dues. Gratuity, unpaid salary, notice pay and leave encashment are separate lines — list each.
- Waiting too long. Labour claims are generally time-limited from the end of service, so act promptly.
- Assuming MOHRE covers free zones. DIFC and ADGM have their own dispute routes.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources & further reading
File and confirm the current process with MOHRE and the UAE Government portal (u.ae). On this site, see gratuity on termination, your final settlement, the notice period guide, and the UAE Labour Law overview.
Related pages
Official UAE sources
This page is informational. To file a complaint and confirm the current process, use the official UAE Government channels: