Unpaid or short salary in Abu Dhabi follows the same first step as anywhere in the UAE: a free complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). MOHRE covers the Abu Dhabi private sector just as it covers Dubai; there is no separate Abu Dhabi labour ministry.
Where Abu Dhabi differs is what happens next. Escalation goes to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) Labour Court, and if you work in ADGM, the financial free zone on Al Maryah Island, MOHRE does not apply to you at all. Here is each route, step by step.
Step 1: file the MOHRE complaint
Before filing, send one written reminder to HR for the paper trail, and gather your registered contract, bank statements, payslips and any messages about pay. Your underlying rights are set out in our UAE labour law 2026 overview.
Then file, free of charge, through any channel:
- Call 80060, use the MOHRE app, or file at mohre.gov.ae under Labour Complaints
- Provide your Emirates ID and contract details, select the complaint type, and state the amount claimed, including any end of service gratuity
- A MOHRE officer opens mediation and contacts both sides, with a target of settling within 14 working days
Most documented salary cases end here, because employers who ignore MOHRE are blocked from new work permits. The full mediation playbook, including your protections while the case runs, is in our UAE salary dispute guide.
The AED 50,000 rule
Since January 2024, MOHRE does more than mediate. For claims of AED 50,000 or less, the ministry can issue a final, enforceable decision itself, executed like a court judgment without you ever filing a case. A party who disagrees can challenge the decision in court within 15 working days of being notified, and the court's ruling on it is final.
For claims above AED 50,000, or where mediation fails, MOHRE issues a referral letter and the dispute moves to the ADJD Labour Court.
Step 2: the ADJD Labour Court
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department runs the emirate's labour court at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Complex, with online filing at adjd.gov.ae. You cannot go to it directly; the MOHRE referral letter is your ticket in.
- Register the case online or in person with the referral letter, your contract and evidence
- Documents must be in Arabic, translated by a Ministry of Justice approved translator where needed
- The first hearing typically comes within about 3 working days of registration, with straightforward cases decided within roughly 30 working days
- Workers pay no court fees on claims under AED 100,000
You do not need a lawyer for a documented salary claim, though many workers use one for larger amounts. Judgments cover unpaid salary plus gratuity and other entitlements where employment has ended.
The timeline at a glance
| Stage | Handled by | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Written reminder to employer | You | A few days |
| Complaint filed (80060, app, website) | MOHRE | Same day |
| Mediation | MOHRE | Up to 14 working days |
| Decision on claims of AED 50,000 or less | MOHRE | Final and enforceable; 15 working days to challenge |
| Referral of larger or unresolved claims | MOHRE to ADJD | With referral letter |
| First hearing | ADJD Labour Court | About 3 working days from registration |
| Judgment | ADJD Labour Court | Target around 30 working days |
Do not sit on a claim: limitation periods apply, and evidence weakens with time.
Working in ADGM? Different rulebook entirely
ADGM has its own employment law and its own courts. The ADGM Employment Regulations (updated in 2024 and in force from April 2025) govern contracts, gratuity and termination for ADGM-registered employers, and disputes go to the ADGM Courts' Employment Division, in English and under common law procedure. MOHRE has no role.
Time limits in ADGM are short: some claims must be brought within six months of the event, so confirm your deadline with the ADGM Courts immediately. And check the ADGM Courts pro bono scheme, which can connect lower-income employees with free legal help.
Other Abu Dhabi free zones such as KEZAD, Masdar City and twofour54 are not financial free zones, so their employees follow the normal MOHRE and ADJD route above.
Key takeaway
Mainland and non-financial free zone employees in Abu Dhabi go MOHRE first: mediation within 14 working days, a final MOHRE decision on claims up to AED 50,000, and ADJD Labour Court referral for the rest. ADGM employees file with the ADGM Courts under ADGM's own regulations, on much shorter deadlines.
FAQ
Can I file a MOHRE complaint in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. MOHRE covers the private sector in every emirate, including Abu Dhabi. File free of charge on 80060, in the MOHRE app, or at mohre.gov.ae.
How long does a salary dispute take in Abu Dhabi?
Documented cases that settle in mediation typically resolve within two to eight weeks. If referred to the ADJD Labour Court, the first hearing comes within days and the court targets a decision within roughly 30 working days.
Do I need a lawyer for the Abu Dhabi Labour Court?
No. The MOHRE stage works without one and court fees are waived on claims under AED 100,000. A lawyer becomes worth considering for large claims or where the employer disputes the facts.
What if my employer is in ADGM?
MOHRE cannot take your case. File with the ADGM Courts' Employment Division under the ADGM Employment Regulations, and move fast, because some ADGM claims must be filed within six months.
