What is MOHRE?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) is the UAE federal ministry that governs private-sector employment across the country. It regulates the relationship between mainland private-sector employers and their employees, sets and enforces labour standards, manages work permits, and drives the national policy of increasing the proportion of UAE nationals (Emiratisation) employed in the private sector.
MOHRE was formerly called the Ministry of Labour. While the name changed, its functions expanded to include stronger Emiratisation mandates and a broader digital service offering. It remains the central authority for work permits, employment contracts, and labour dispute resolution in the mainland private sector.
What MOHRE handles
- Work permits (labour cards) for mainland private-sector employees
- Registration and filing of electronic employment contracts
- Wage Protection System (WPS) compliance monitoring to ensure salaries are paid on time and through approved channels
- Emiratisation quotas and compliance reporting for employers
- Labour dispute mediation and complaint resolution
- Domestic worker regulation, jointly with the Tadbeer centre network
- Establishment registration and ongoing compliance for private businesses
Free-zone employees are generally regulated by their own free-zone authority such as JAFZA, DIFC, or DMCC, rather than MOHRE. Confirm which body governs your employment contract before directing a query or complaint.
How to use MOHRE services
MOHRE provides services through its portal at mohre.gov.ae and the MOHRE UAE mobile app (iOS and Android), as well as through the Tasheel service-centre network for employer transactions and Tawjeeh orientation centres for new employees. Key steps for common use cases:
- To check your labour contract or work permit: log in to the MOHRE app or portal using your Emirates ID number and view the registered contract and work permit details.
- To file a labour complaint: open the MOHRE app or portal, select the complaint service, and submit details of the issue. MOHRE will attempt mediated resolution before escalating to the Labour Court if needed.
- For work-permit applications (employers): submit through a Tasheel service centre or the MOHRE portal, providing the trade licence, the employee's passport, and other required documents. Confirm current fees and document requirements before applying.
- To estimate gratuity: use MOHRE's built-in gratuity calculator on the portal, entering your contract type, start date, and basic salary.
What expats use MOHRE for
Expatriate employees rely on MOHRE mainly to verify that their labour card and employment contract are correctly registered, understand their entitlements under UAE labour law (gratuity, annual leave, notice periods), and lodge complaints if their employer withholds wages, delays gratuity, or imposes unlawful conditions.
Employers use MOHRE to register work permits, file contracts, and maintain Emiratisation compliance. A lapsed work permit or unregistered contract can affect the employee's residence visa renewal and the employer's ability to process new hires. Labour rules on gratuity calculations, notice periods, and annual leave have evolved over time, so always confirm your current entitlements on the official MOHRE portal.