Labour Complaint Translation in the UAE: MOHRE & Court (2026)
The Short Answer
A UAE labour dispute starts with a complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and, if it is not settled, may end in the labour court. The MOHRE contract itself is already bilingual, so it rarely needs translating. What needs a certified Arabic translation is everything else in English or another language that you rely on: offer letters, bonus and commission plans, termination and warning letters, emails, WhatsApp messages and foreign medical or education documents. Courts work in Arabic, and evidence they cannot read carries little weight.
Smart World Legal Translation (SWLT) is an MOJ-licensed translation office in Abu Dhabi that translates employment and dispute documents between Arabic, English and 50+ other languages, from AED 80 per 200-word page (excl. 5% VAT).
How a Labour Dispute Moves in 2026
Two recent laws changed the route. Since 1 January 2024 (Federal Decree-Law 20/2023), MOHRE can decide a dispute itself when the claim is AED 50,000 or less, or when a party did not honour an earlier settlement; its decision can be enforced like a court order. Federal Decree-Law 9/2024, in force since 31 August 2024, then set the challenge route:
- a party may challenge MOHRE’s decision before the Court of First Instance within 15 working days of being notified;
- the court decides within 30 working days, and its decision is final;
- claims above AED 50,000 that MOHRE cannot settle are referred to the court;
- a labour claim must be brought within two years of the end of employment (previously one year).
The deadlines are short, so have documents translated while the complaint is still at MOHRE, not after the referral arrives.
What to Translate, Document by Document
| Document | Usually needs translation? | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| MOHRE or free zone employment contract | No, if already bilingual | Check that the Arabic and English salary, notice and title match |
| Offer letter, bonus, commission or share plan | Yes, if English only | Often the only proof of pay above basic salary, which affects gratuity claims |
| Termination, warning or resignation letters | Yes | Dates and stated reasons decide notice pay and whether dismissal was justified |
| Emails and WhatsApp messages | Yes, the relevant ones | Show what was promised or admitted; keep dates, times and senders |
| Payslips, WPS records, bank statements | Narrative parts only | Figures are usually readable; descriptions and notes need translating |
| Foreign medical certificates or sick leave | Yes, plus attestation | See our guide to sick leave issued abroad |
Preparing Evidence That Holds Up
Translated evidence fails more often for presentation than for language. We recommend the following:
- Translate whole documents. A letter with the second page missing invites the other side to argue context.
- Keep chat metadata. Each message keeps its date, time and sender in the translation, in the original order. Our guide to WhatsApp and email evidence explains the format courts expect.
- Use the law’s terms. “End of service gratuity” is مكافأة نهاية الخدمة, “notice period” is فترة الإنذار, “probation” is فترة التجربة. Inconsistent terms across documents confuse the claim.
- Match names and job titles to the passport, Emirates ID and MOHRE record (see name spelling mismatches).
- Number your exhibits and keep the same numbers in the original and the translation.
Employers: Translate Before There Is a Dispute
Most of these problems start when policies, handbooks and bonus plans exist only in English. Translating them when they are issued costs less than translating them under a 15-day deadline, and it gives managers and staff the same text. Our guide to employment contract translation covers the contract stage, MOHRE registration and free zone contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to file a MOHRE labour complaint?
No. Workers and employers can file through MOHRE’s channels themselves. A lawyer is worth considering for larger claims or when the case goes to court. We translate; we do not give legal advice.
Can I submit English emails to the labour court?
Submit them with a certified Arabic translation. Arabic is the language of UAE courts, and the judge relies on the Arabic text.
How much does it cost to translate labour dispute documents?
From AED 80 per 200-word page for Arabic and English, AED 100 for French, AED 150 for German, Italian or Turkish, and AED 250 for other languages such as Chinese, Russian or Urdu (all excl. 5% VAT). Urgent work is priced on request, and large files receive discounts. A typical file of letters and selected messages is 5 to 15 pages.
How fast can you translate for a hearing?
A few pages are usually ready the same day or within 24 hours. Tell us your hearing or MOHRE date when you send the file.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about translating employment documents and is not legal advice. Labour procedures change; check the current rules with MOHRE or a UAE employment lawyer.
Get Your Labour File Translated
Send the documents you want to rely on and your MOHRE or hearing date, and we will confirm the price and delivery time. Smart World Legal Translation is led by Dr. Hani Elimam (MOJ-licensed translator, AIIC member), has translated legal documents since 2014 and is rated 4.8/5 on Google. Send your documents on WhatsApp (+971 54 360 8305), email info@swlt.ae, or use our contact page.