• The remarkable figure reflects confidence in the Ministry’s procedures and their efficiency in accelerating the settlement of labour disputes.
• The effectiveness of MoHRE’s monitoring and awareness systems enhances the stability of employment relations in the private sector.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced it successfully settled 98.6% of labour disputes in the private sector during 2025, which left only 1.4% of cases to be referred to the judiciary due to inability to reach a settlement.

These results reflect confidence in the procedures the Ministry implements and their efficiency in accelerating the settlement of labour disputes, in a manner that preserves the legal rights of all parties to the dispute, reducing the burden on them and on labour courts in the UAE.

As of 1 January 2024, the Ministry had assumed the responsibility of arbitrating disputes submitted by the two parties to the employment relationship where the claim value does not exceed AED50,000, or in cases where the dispute concerns the failure of either party to file a case before the competent Court of First Instance within 15 working days from the date of notification and announcement of the decision.

In that regard, MoHRE referred only three collective labour disputes to the Collective Labour Disputes Committee in 2025, with a total of 322 workers involved. This reflects the stability of employment relations in private sector establishments, as well as the effectiveness of the preventative interventions, supervision, and awareness programmes the Ministry implements, in coordination with its strategic partners.

Meanwhile, around 9.43 million communication engagements related to labour consultations and complaints were processed in 2025, including incoming and outgoing calls, which benefit both parties to the employment relationship. This confirms that the UAE’s labour market management system operates with advanced efficiency, supported by a smart digital infrastructure and highly qualified legal cadres capable of quickly addressing labour market requirements in accordance with the highest governance standards. The system operates proactively and relies on digital integration to enhance customer satisfaction.

In a press statement, MoHRE affirmed that the positive results achieved in 2025 are a direct reflection of its sustained institutional development journey, which centres on continuously updating legislation and enhancing the efficiency of systems and procedures through Customer Councils, initiatives under the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, and advanced digital solutions that meet the highest professional standards.

This integrated approach helped accelerate complaint resolution, raise completion efficiency, ease burdens on customers, and ensure legal entitlements are given to the rightful parties in the shortest possible time. The system serves to reinforce the principles of justice and transparency, as well as to ensure the stability of the UAE labour market.

Moreover, the Ministry stressed its commitment to implementing a fair and transparent system for addressing labour complaints, while ensuring complete confidentiality for all submitted cases, in line with the legislation regulating the labour market in the UAE. These processes serve to boost the UAE labour market’s regional and global competitiveness; reinforce the UAE’s position as a preferred global destination for living, working, and investing; and establish a stable and balanced work environment that protects the rights of all parties.

On a related note, the Ministry provides electronic and smart communication channels available in more than 22 languages, enabling users to submit complaints, report negative practices in the labour market with complete confidentiality, follow up on complaints, and communicate with MoHRE for guidance and awareness services.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation strives to facilitate procedures for submitting complaints to be reviewed by specialised legal researchers with full transparency and impartiality, in line with the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationships, along with all related amendments, Executive Regulations, and Ministerial Resolutions.

Labour market legislation in the UAE and its implementation on the ground align with the highest international standards. The UAE has scored notable successes in that regard, coming in first place globally on the ‘low labour disputes’ indicator of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook in 2024 and 2025, while also taking the top ranks across a range of other labour market competitiveness indicators.