Unpaid salary
Where salary has not been paid, or is being delayed repeatedly, we advise on the MOHRE complaint process and what can be recovered.
Employment & Labor Law · For Employees · Dubai, UAE
Employee Rights Lawyer Dubai
Unpaid salary, a termination that does not feel right, or a labour ban? Know your position before you sign anything or let a deadline pass.
MBM advises employees in Dubai on unpaid salary, wrongful or unfair termination, end-of-service gratuity disputes, labour bans and MOHRE complaints. We tell you what your contract and the law actually entitle you to, not what feels fair.
The framework
MOHRE, and what your contract actually says
UAE employment is governed by the Labour Relations Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021), as amended. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) now issues binding decisions on many labour disputes and refers unresolved complaints to the labour courts.
Unpaid salary, gratuity calculations and termination validity are each assessed against your specific employment contract and the applicable statutory formula. This page describes the general framework; it is not advice on your matter.
Matters we handle
Employee matters MBM is instructed on
These are the situations that most often reach us. If yours is not listed, it is still worth a confidential call.
Wrongful or unfair termination
Where a termination does not appear to follow the correct process or grounds, we assess whether it can be challenged.
End-of-service gratuity disputes
Checking the gratuity calculation against your length of service and final salary, and challenging incorrect deductions.
Labour ban disputes
Advice on whether a labour ban applies to your situation and whether it can be challenged or lifted.
Employer breach of contract
Where an employer has not honoured agreed terms - pay, role, or conditions - we assess what remedy may be available.
Filing or pursuing a MOHRE complaint
Preparing your complaint with proper supporting evidence and pursuing it through to a decision.
Our approach
What MBM actually does for employees
Concrete steps, taken with discretion.
Review your contract and entitlements
We check what you are actually owed - salary, notice, gratuity and any other entitlement - against your contract and the law.
Assess the termination or the breach
We assess whether the process followed, or the conduct in question, meets what the law and your contract require.
Prepare and file the MOHRE complaint
We prepare a properly supported complaint and represent you through the process.
Pursue the labour courts where needed
Where a matter is referred or escalates, we prepare and present your case.
Advise on the labour ban position
Where relevant, we advise on how a ban may apply and what options exist.
Before you call
What to have to hand
You do not need any of this to call or message us - but having it ready makes the first conversation more useful.
- Your employment contractAll pages, including any amendments
- Payslips or salary recordsShowing what has and has not been paid
- Any termination or notice letterOr details of how you were told
- Correspondence with your employerEmails or messages relevant to the matter
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates where you can
Why MBM
Straight answers, at a difficult moment
Losing a job, or not being paid, is stressful. MBM gives you a clear, honest view of your entitlements and options, without false promises.
- Litigation experience in-house. If your matter has to be argued before the labour courts, the people advising you are the people who will argue it.
- Confidential from the first message. WhatsApp us discreetly if that is easier than calling.
- Straight answers on your position. If a claim is weak, we will tell you that early rather than pursue a matter that cannot succeed.
- Two offices. Dubai and Sharjah.
17Years in practice as MBM Businessmen Services L.L.C.
90+Years of shared experience across the team
10Lawyers, litigation and arbitration capable
95%Win rate in high-stakes disputes, as published by the firm
Common questions
Employee rights, answered directly
General information, not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts.
My employer has not paid my salary - what can I do?
You can file a complaint with MOHRE, which now issues binding decisions on many labour disputes. MBM can advise on preparing the complaint and the supporting evidence, such as your contract and payment history.
Can I resign if my salary is delayed in the UAE?
Delayed salary can, in some circumstances, support a resignation on the basis of the employer's own breach, which may affect end-of-service entitlements and any labour ban. Whether this applies to your situation depends on the pattern and length of the delay and should be assessed on the facts.
What is unfair or wrongful termination in the UAE?
A termination that does not follow the process required by the Labour Relations Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, as amended) or the employment contract, or that lacks a proper basis, may be challengeable. Whether a specific termination qualifies depends on the facts and the contract.
How much is end-of-service gratuity in the UAE, and can it be disputed?
Gratuity is generally calculated based on length of service and final salary under the applicable labour law formula. Disputes commonly arise over the calculation itself, deductions applied by the employer, or non-payment altogether.
How do I file a labour complaint in Dubai?
A complaint is generally filed with MOHRE, which will attempt to resolve the matter and can issue a binding decision on many types of dispute, or refer the matter to the labour courts where appropriate. MBM can advise on preparing and supporting the complaint.
What is a labour ban, and can it be challenged?
A labour ban can restrict an employee's ability to obtain a new work permit for a period, often connected to how an employment ended. Whether a ban applies, and whether it can be challenged or lifted, depends on the circumstances of the termination.
Can I claim compensation if my employer breached my employment contract?
Yes, where a genuine breach can be shown - for example unpaid entitlements, a unilateral change to agreed terms, or a termination that does not follow the contract. What compensation may be available depends on the specific breach and its consequences.
How much is termination pay in the UAE?
Termination pay generally depends on notice entitlements, any accrued leave, and end-of-service gratuity calculated under the applicable formula. The exact figure depends on length of service, salary, and the basis of termination.
Is my consultation about an employment matter confidential?
Yes. Every consultation and engagement with MBM is treated with professional confidentiality.
How much does employee-side employment law advice cost in Dubai?
The initial consultation with MBM is free. Cost thereafter depends on whether the matter is a MOHRE complaint or full litigation. MBM provides a scope and fee position before you instruct.
Confidential consultation
Tell us about your situation
Tell us briefly about your situation. Our team will review your enquiry and advise you on the appropriate next step. Everything you send is treated as confidential.
- +971 4 570 0204Dubai office · Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Often the easiest way to reach us discreetly
- info@mbm-co.comAttach your contract and any relevant documents
Practice area: Employment & Labor Law
Jurisdiction: Dubai & Sharjah, UAE
Last reviewed: September 2026
Thank you — your enquiry is with our team.
A member of the MBM team will review what you have sent and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
Know what you are entitled to. Before you sign anything.
Whether it is unpaid salary, a termination, or a labour ban, the earlier your position is reviewed, the more options remain open. The first consultation is free.