Labour Lawyer Dubai

Whether you are an employee who has not been paid, or an employer facing a labour complaint, employment disputes in the UAE run on strict deadlines and a defined procedure: MOHRE complaint first, then referral to the labour courts. Miss a step or a limitation period and a strong claim can be lost. Rashid Al Suwaidi Advocates & Legal Consultants represents both employees and employers in labour disputes across Dubai under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the UAE Labour Law).

Labour & Employment Cases We Handle in Dubai

  • Unpaid Salary and Benefits Claims: Recovery of unpaid wages, commissions, bonuses, overtime, air tickets, and expenses — through MOHRE and the labour courts, with attachment of company assets where the employer is at risk of closing.
  • End-of-Service Gratuity Disputes: Calculating and claiming the full gratuity owed, including disputes over basic salary definitions, unpaid leave balances, and deductions employers are not entitled to make.
  • Arbitrary and Unfair Dismissal: Compensation claims for termination without valid reason, dismissal during sick leave or maternity, and retaliatory termination after a complaint.
  • Labour Bans and Visa Issues: Advice on employment bans, absconding reports (and cancelling wrongful ones), and the employment consequences of visa cancellation timelines.
  • Employment Contracts and Policies (for Employers): Drafting compliant limited-term contracts, offer letters, non-compete and confidentiality clauses, HR policies, and disciplinary procedures that hold up before the labour courts.
  • Employer Defence: Defending companies against inflated labour claims, gross misconduct terminations, employee fraud and breach of trust cases, and enforcing non-compete obligations.
  • Workplace Injury Compensation: Claims for work injuries and occupational illness, in coordination with our compensation team.

How a Labour Case Works in Dubai

  • Step 1 — MOHRE Complaint: Most private-sector disputes must first be filed with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, which attempts mediation between the parties.
  • Step 2 — Referral to Court: If mediation fails within the statutory period, MOHRE refers the case to the labour court. Claims up to AED 50,000 are now decided by MOHRE itself with binding effect, subject to court challenge.
  • Step 3 — Litigation: Labour claims by employees are exempt from court fees in most cases. We prepare the claim calculation, submit evidence, and attend all hearings.
  • Step 4 — Execution: Enforcement of the judgment against the employer's bank accounts and assets, including through the company's licence records.

Important: labour claims are subject to strict limitation — generally one year from the date the entitlement fell due. If you are owed money, do not wait.

Why Choose Rashid Al Suwaidi Advocates for Employment Matters

Labour litigation is high-volume, procedural work where preparation of the claim calculation and documentary evidence decides the outcome. Our advocates appear before the Dubai labour courts continuously, for both employees and employers, which means we know how the other side will argue your case before they do. Consultations are confidential, in Arabic or English, and we give you a realistic claim valuation before you commit to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions — UAE Labour Law

How is end-of-service gratuity calculated in the UAE?

For employees who complete at least one year: 21 days' basic salary per year for the first five years, and 30 days' basic salary per year thereafter, capped at two years' total salary. Disputes usually arise over what counts as "basic salary" and over deductions — which is where legal review recovers real money.

Can my employer refuse to pay my salary if I resign?

No. All earned salary, leave balance, and gratuity remain payable regardless of who ended the employment. An employer withholding final settlement can be taken to MOHRE and then to court, where employees are generally exempt from court fees.

What compensation can I claim for unfair dismissal in Dubai?

The labour court can award compensation of up to three months' salary for arbitrary dismissal, in addition to notice-period pay, gratuity, unpaid entitlements, and in some cases damages.

Does a labour case affect my UAE visa?

Filing a labour complaint does not cancel your visa, and MOHRE can permit you to transfer to a new employer while the dispute proceeds. We advise on protecting your residency status alongside the claim.

I'm an employer — can I recover training costs or enforce a non-compete?

Both are possible within the limits of the Labour Law: non-compete clauses must be limited in time, place, and scope of work, and cost-recovery clauses must be contractually agreed. We draft and litigate these clauses regularly.

Get Your Labour Case Assessed Today

Send us your contract and termination documents for a confidential assessment. Call +971 55 767 9696, message us on WhatsApp, or email info@ralsuwaidi.com.