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From Unpaid Gratuity To Fake Emiratisation, Here’s 11 Workplace Violations You Can Report In UAE

From fake Emiratisation to withheld gratuity, the UAE labour ministry has laid out which workplace violations you can flag, and how to do it

by Deeplata Garde
From Unpaid Gratuity To Fake Emiratisation, Here’s 11 Workplace Violations You Can Report In UAE
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/Vladimir Vladimirov from Getty Images Signature

UAE’s MOHRE has periodically refreshed and reissued an awareness campaign, with the exact count of workplace violations varying slightly between releases. It’s been framed as 12 types in some campaigns and 13 in others, reflecting how the Ministry groups related violations. The core categories, however, have stayed consistent: they cover pay, safety, dignity at work and immigration compliance.

Workplace Violations You Can Actually Report In UAE

Across MOHRE’s public guidance, the categories of reportable violations consistently include: false or fake Emiratisation practices, failure to meet Emiratisation quotas, harassment complaints, non-payment or delay of end-of-service gratuity, working more than the legally permitted overtime limit, denial of annual leave or its cash equivalent, substandard worker accommodation, occupational health and safety breaches, forced labour and human trafficking, employing workers without valid permits, and violations of the midday break or heat-stress protection rules during summer months.

How To Actually File A Report

Reports can be filed by employees directly affected or by any member of the public who witnesses a violation. You don’t need to be the one impacted to flag bad practice. MOHRE has said the goal is to widen oversight of the labour market beyond what inspectors alone can catch, by giving the public an active role in flagging misconduct.

1. MOHRE Smart Application

2. MOHRE Official Website
mohre.gov.ae
1. Services
2. Submit Report
3. Select Report Type
4. Complete Steps

3. MOHRE Call Centre
600-590-000
The round-the-clock call centre operates in multiple languages.

Why Does This System Exists And Is It Working?

The numbers suggest people are using it. MOHRE received nearly 2,100 public reports of labour market violations in just the first half of 2025 alone, on top of hundreds of thousands of routine and complaint-driven inspections it runs each year. Separately, the Ministry has reported that labour violations actually dropped in the UAE even as inspections increased, attributed partly to AI-powered digital monitoring systems that catch issues like wage protection breaches earlier, before they escalate into full disputes.

Also Read: UAE: Speeding Up Hiring, MoHRE Adds 13 Categories Of Work Permits; Details Inside

For anyone unsure whether something at work crosses a legal line, the safest move is simply to report it and let MOHRE make the call. Confidentiality is built into the process, and officials have repeatedly stressed a “zero tolerance” stance on violations that undermine worker rights.

Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/Vladimir Vladimirov from Getty Images Signature

FAQs

What is the fastest way to report a labour violation to MOHRE?

The MOHRE call centre on 600-590-000 operates 24/7 in multiple languages and is the quickest route for an urgent report.

Can I report a violation anonymously if I'm not the affected employee?

Yes, any member of the public who witnesses a violation can report it, not just the worker directly affected.

What counts as a reportable Emiratisation violation?

Both false Emiratisation (falsely claiming to employ Emiratis) and simply failing to meet mandated Emiratisation quotas are reportable.

Deeplata Garde | Senior Content Writer

Deeplata Garde is a Senior Content Writer with 8 years of experience crafting stories on food, travel, sports and pop culture. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Media from the University Of Mumbai and has spent her career turning everyday moments into narratives readers can't scroll past. Powered by black coffee, dark chocolate & a concerning number of open tabs, she spends her non-working hours chasing sunsets, recommending restaurants & reading in a quiet corner.

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First Published: September 04, 2026 4:55 PM