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ARTICLE · 01 SEPTEMBER 2025

Disputes With Employees

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Labour disputes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 On Regulation of Labour Relations, which came into effect on 2 February 2022.

United Arab EmiratesEmployment and HR
Mudather Khalil
Mudather Khalil
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Overview

Labour disputes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 On Regulation of Labour Relations, which came into effect on 2 February 2022.

It outlines specific rights and obligations for both employers and employees in labour dispute situations, including entitlement to unpaid wages, and the employer's right to terminate employment for just cause, ensuring fair treatment during the dispute resolution process.

In addition, Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 divides employee disputes into two main categories, which are individual or collective, with each category having a different definition according to its nature and procedures. Labour disputes are handled by two authorities in the UAE, i.e., the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and the Labour Courts. Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 mandates that all labour disputes must first be referred to the MOHRE for mediation, and only unresolved cases should

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