When your gratuity payment is not given out in the UAE, despite your departure, there is no need to be worried since you still have a choice in law. The UAE Labour Law states that your employer should remit your end-of-service benefits to you within 14 days of the end of your last working day.

I will include in this guide how to complain about a delay in the payment of gratuity in the UAE, what the law provides, the reason the delay occurs, and how to file your case with the MOHRE or Tawafuq Centres by using specific steps.

This blog offers you the opportunity to receive your pending gratuity fast, legally, and confidently, whether you are an expat or a UAE resident.

What the UAE Labour Law Says About Gratuity Payments

Under the UAE Labour Law ( Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 ), end-of-service gratuity is a right of all employees who have a period of one year of continuous service.

According to the law:

• Your employer should pay us your gratuity not later than 14 days after the day of your last working.
• The gratuity is to be computed on your previous basic salary, without allowances, bonuses, or commissions.
• The formula for gratuity is:
  Gratuity = (Basic Salary ÷ 30) × (21 or 30 days) × Years of Service

When your employer does not pay within 14 days, this is regarded to violate the UAE labour law, and you are entitled to submit a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Penalty for Delay in Gratuity Payment

The employers that postpone or refuse gratuity may encounter:

• Fines imposed by MoHRE
• Temporary closure of the business operations.
• Courts in the UAE Labour Courts.

The act guarantees that all the rights of the employees at the end of service are not denied and that no company can deny you your rights.

Common Reasons for Gratuity Delays

Although it is your right to be paid gratuity, various reasons may delay it. According to my research and experience, the most widespread causes are the following:

1. Pending Company Approvals

Other employers pay gratuity late as they wait to have financial clearance or approval from management.

2. Miscalculation or Dispute

In other cases, the HR department will do the wrong amount of calculation of your gratuity, particularly where there are commissions or variable pay attached to your salary structure. This would lead to a time lag in the process of them going through the details.

3. Employer Financial Issues

In case your company is not doing well financially or is closing down, it may defer the settlement of employees.

4. Unresolved Deductions or Penalties

In other aspects, the companies retain gratuity because a deduction or a claim is expected against the employee.

5. Lack of Awareness

Most of the employees are unfamiliar with the process of filing a complaint, and thus they procrastinate too long, thereby allowing employers a longer time to procrastinate payment.

In case you are struggling with this issue, the following section will take you through the official and legal route of making your complaint about the gratuity in the UAE.

Read Also: Zakat in UAE 2026: What It Is & How to Calculate It Fast

How to File a Complaint for Delayed Gratuity in the UAE

Provided that your gratuity was not yet paid within 14 days, then you are in a position to file a formal complaint with MoHRE, either via the Internet or directly. The following are the steps to do it:

Step 1: Contact Your Employer or HR

Before taking a legal step, it is always prudent to attempt to get the problem sorted out within the company.

• Send a written or official reminder to your HR department or employer.
• Cover your last working day in full, the sum of your gratuity (where known), and order to be paid without any further delay.
• Give them at least 7 working days to respond.

In some instances, the companies settle it when you demonstrate that you are serious about suing them. In case they do not reply or are still postponing, go to the next step.

Step 2: File an Online Complaint via MoHRE

The second step, in case your employer rejects your request or refuses to pay you, is to file an official complaint with MoHRE.

Here’s how you can do it online:

1. Visit the official MoHRE website: https://www.mohre.gov.ae
2. Take up Select Submit Labour Complaint, which is positioned under Services.
3. Manually use your labour card details to enter your UAE Pass credentials or file.
4. Choose a complaint type of Delay in end-of-service benefits.
5. Fill in all the details that are required – the name of the employer, the ID of the company, and the date of termination of your contract.
6. Attach some supporting documents (e.g., your labour card, Emirates ID, and work contract).
7. Submit the complaint.

Once submitted, MoHRE will send an SMS confirmation with a case number. You can use this number to track your complaint status through the MoHRE app or call centre.

Step 3: Visit a Tawafuq Centre (Optional but Faster)

Should you wish to seek actual face-to-face help or you have to hurry up, you may visit a Tawafuq Centre – the official offices of the UAE Labour dispute resolutions, which are accepted by MoHRE.

Here’s what to do:

• Carry your Emirates ID, a copy of your passport, your labour card, your employment contract, and any documents of communication with your employer.
• State that your gratuity money is late.
• The employees will assist you in making a complaint on the spot and issue you with a reference number.

In most cases, Tawafuq centres deal with complaints at a rapid level since they are the ones who coordinate with MoHRE investigators.

Step 4: Attend the Labour Dispute Resolution Meeting

MoHRE will then set up a mediation session between you and your employer after you have filed your complaint. This gathering is usually conducted at Tawafuq Centre or through the internet.

During the meeting:

• Two sides will be heard by a MoHRE officer.
• They will look at your documents and will try to resolve the conflict peacefully.
• Should your employer agree to do so ,then the case is closed instantly when there is evidence of payment shown.

Nevertheless, in case of the refusal or non-appearance of the employer, MoHRE will provide the Labour Court with a transfer letter, and this will give you a chance to advance the case.

Documents You’ll Need to File the Complaint

Tip: Always bring both digital and physical copies when visiting MoHRE or Tawafuq centres.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many days does an employer pay gratuity in the UAE?

Under the UAE Labour Law, your employer is expected to pay you your gratuity within a period of 14 days following the day of your last working.

2. What would occur in case my employer is not willing to pay me gratuity?

You may use MoHRE as a labour complainer. Failure to do so will result in a referral to the Labour Court.

3. Will I be able to make a complaint if I worked for less than one year?

N.O. You can only have gratuity when you have served a minimum of one year of continuous service.

4. Is the gratuity based on basic or full salary?

It is only computed on your basic salary without allowances or commissions.

5. Is it possible to monitor my complaint online?

Yes. Once you complain, you will receive a case number through SMS, which you can use to trace the status on the MoHRE app or site.

Read Also: Don’t Lose Out: Gratuity Guide for UAE Domestic Workers

Final Thoughts

When the gratuity payment is withheld in the UAE, it is not just to keep quiet; the MoHRE and the UAE labour law are taking your side. It is easy to file a complaint, it is not illegal, and you get the benefits of your service at the end of the service without any needless delay.

I highly recommend that you be guided through the formal process, reach MoHRE, or go to a Tawafuq Centre today in order to get what you deserve. It is your prerogative to be thankful, and that is how the UAE labour system is designed to safeguard it.