What is an Absconding Report?
An absconding report, known in Arabic as tabligh harab, is a formal complaint that an employer (or a sponsor in the case of domestic workers) can file with MOHRE or the relevant authority, stating that a worker has left their place of work or stopped reporting for duty without authorisation. It is the UAE system's mechanism for recording that an employee has, in the employer's view, abandoned their job. An active absconding case can have serious consequences for the worker's ability to obtain new employment and to maintain or regularise their immigration status.
An absconding report is not the same as a resignation or a mutual termination. It is a unilateral complaint by the employer or sponsor, and the worker has the right to dispute it through official MOHRE channels. Cases of false or retaliatory reports do occur; workers are entitled to contest them and MOHRE has processes specifically designed for this.
How to check, respond to or cancel an Absconding Report
- Check whether a report has been filed. Workers can verify their work permit and complaint status through the MOHRE website, the MOHRE smart app, or by calling the MOHRE helpline using their passport number. If an absconding report is active, it will appear in the permit or complaint status records. Check proactively if you left a job under difficult circumstances.
- Act quickly once you know a report exists. There is typically a limited window after the report is filed during which you can respond before it is formally finalised in the MOHRE system. Do not delay; contact MOHRE promptly and, if possible, attempt to resolve the matter with the employer directly within that window.
- File a counter-complaint if the report is false or retaliatory. If the employer filed the report unjustly, for example to avoid paying your final dues or in retaliation for a labour complaint you had raised, file a counter-complaint through MOHRE's online labour dispute portal. Provide all available evidence, including messages with your employer, attendance records, payslips, and prior complaint references.
- Attend MOHRE-mediated dispute resolution. MOHRE typically requires both parties to attempt a mediated settlement before escalating to a formal ruling. Attend any scheduled mediation session and bring supporting documentation. If the matter is not resolved at mediation, it proceeds to a formal MOHRE labour dispute ruling.
- Settle any assessed fines. If a fine has been attached to the absconding case, confirm the current applicable amount with MOHRE and settle it through the authorised payment channels. Fines vary by worker category and the specifics of the case; confirm current rates with MOHRE rather than relying on earlier figures.
- Obtain written or digital confirmation of closure. Once the report is resolved, ensure you receive confirmation from MOHRE that the absconding case is closed and that any associated blocks on your work permit record have been removed before applying for new employment.
Rules, validity and cost
The consequences of an active absconding report include a block on obtaining a new work permit, potential fines, and in some cases complications with immigration status. For domestic workers, the sponsoring household rather than MOHRE handles the initial report, and the consequences and resolution processes differ from those for MOHRE-registered workers. Fine amounts and exact procedures are set by MOHRE and updated periodically; confirm the current rates and applicable rules with the authority. Employers are also subject to obligations: filing a false absconding report can itself constitute a MOHRE violation, and workers should be aware that raising this as a counter-claim is an option available to them.
What expats should know
Absconding reports are sometimes filed as leverage in a dispute, or in response to a worker filing a labour complaint. Workers are protected by MOHRE's dispute processes and have the right to contest any report they believe is unjust. The most important factor is acting fast; a report that goes unchallenged within the response window becomes significantly harder to contest later. Keep records of all communications with your employer, including messages, payslips, and attendance records. If you have reason to believe a report may be filed against you, consider proactively filing a labour complaint with MOHRE first, as this creates an official record of your position. For complex cases, advice from a UAE-qualified legal adviser is recommended.