Employee Rights in the UAE – Salary Delays, Terminations & Legal Steps
Working in the UAE offers many opportunities but a right comes with responsibility for both employer and employee. Having knowledge about what legal safeguards exist under UAE labour law is important if you face salary delays, unfair termination, or feel that your rights in one way or another are being infringed upon. What are the legal steps against an employer in the UAE you may resort to, and how do you enforce your termination rights in the UAE? Knowing your employee rights in the UAE becomes paramount in safeguarding your salary, benefits, and job security.
What rights do UAE laws protect for employees?
Under UAE labour law, Employee Rights in the UAE are protected in several key areas:
- Through the Wages Protection System (WPS), Employers must pay wages on time, Delaying payment beyond permissible limits is not allowed.
- Contracts (written) must specify wage, duration (if fixed), notice periods, duties. All parties must abide by contract terms.
- Employees are entitled to end of service gratuity, unused leave, notice period pay, etc. upon termination.
Salary Delays: What the Law Says & What You Can Do
- Any payment made after the official employees date constitutes late payment and can be diverted to the UAE labour law salary delay regulations.
- Under the Wages Protection System, Employees can report if an employer.
- Through the Wage Protection System, an employee may report an employer for not paying wages by the due date.
- The WPS ensures the timely payments of salaries.
- Complaints can be filed with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) under the name of "My Salary Complaint" for the issue of delayed or unpaid salaries.
- Anonymity or confidentiality is assured if employees choose to report the incident.
Termination Rights in the UAE
Legal steps against Employer in the UAE
Knowing your options under UAE labour law salary delay helps employees to take timely action if wages are not paid as per the contract. Here are key legal steps,
1. Gather proof.
Preserve copies of your employment contract, payslips, bank statements, emails, messages. Document any delays or notice related to termination.
2. Challenge resolution with employer.
First, try to resolve the issue internally with HR and the line manager. Sometimes this resolves matters without legal escalation.
3. File a complaint with MoHRE
Use MoHRE services to submit UAE Ministry of Labour complaints: via their website, app, or through “My Salary Complaint” for wage issues. For termination disputes, there are specific MoHRE complaint channels.
4. Mediation / Labour inspector intervention
MoHRE may offer mediation. The Labour Inspection authority might investigate employer compliance.
5. Surge to labour court
You can take legal action in UAE labour courts; If MoHRE does not resolve the issue. Claims may include unpaid wages, compensation for wrongful termination, and notice period issues etc.
Being aware of your employee rights in the UAE helps you take the correct legal steps against employers in the UAE and ensures a smoother resolution of disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. MoHRE’s “My Salary Complaint” service allows private/anonymous filing especially for a salary or wage delay.
In cases of repeated UAE labour law salary delay, employees have the right to surge the matter to the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) to enforce timely payments.
Termination without notice is only allowed in specific cases such as gross misconduct or safety violations. Knowing your termination rights in the UAE helps you understand when notice is required, what compensation you may claim, and how to protect yourself in case of unlawful dismissal.
Conclusion
Employees in the UAE enjoy strong protections under current employee rights in the UAE, especially around UAE labour law salary delay and termination rights in the UAE. Timely action, solid documentation, and knowing the law are your best tools if your salary is delayed, or your employer acts illegally or you have legal channels, through MoHRE, via UAE Ministry of Labour complaints, and ultimately courts.
At Cominc Consulting, we understand all these laws, your rights, and the legal steps against employers in the UAE. We help employees organize, review, and present their evidence so that their employee rights in the UAE are fully protected in front of MoHRE or labour courts.
Cominc Consulting: Empowering Your Employment Rights, Building Your Legal Confidence in the UAE
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