Most gratuity disputes are settled without a court, but only when the employee acts in time and has the paperwork ready. Here's the route in each country and the deadlines that apply.
Article 88 requires payment within one week if the employer ended the contract, or two weeks if the employee did. If that doesn't happen, file a complaint through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's amicable settlement service, online or by calling 19911. The settlement department holds up to two sessions within 21 working days. If no agreement is reached, the case is referred electronically to the Labour Court, which you can then follow through the Najiz platform.
Time limit: labour claims must be brought within 12 months of the end of employment. After that, the claim can be rejected however strong it is.
Article 53 of the 2021 law requires dues to be paid within 14 days of the end of employment. If they aren't, file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) through its app, website or a service centre. MOHRE first tries to settle the dispute. For claims of AED 50,000 or less, MOHRE can issue a binding decision itself. Larger claims that aren't settled are referred to the Court of First Instance.
Time limit: since Federal Decree Law No. 9 of 2024, claims must be filed within two years of the end of the employment relationship.
Employees of DIFC and ADGM companies follow those free zones' own dispute procedures instead.
File a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, online or at a labour office. The ministry attempts to resolve it, and unresolved cases are referred to the Labour Dispute Settlement Committees, which were created to decide labour claims faster than the ordinary courts. Keep your Wage Protection System records, which show what was actually paid into your account.
Time limit: claims under the labour law should be brought within one year of the end of the contract. Act well before then.
For expatriate employees, the claim has two parts since March 2024. The portion for service before 1 March 2024 is owed by the employer, and disputes about it go first to the Ministry of Labour for mediation and then to the courts. The portion from March 2024 onwards is paid by the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO), so you apply to SIO directly. If contributions are missing from your SIO record, raise it with SIO and your employer immediately. Our Bahrain guide explains the split.
Employers often ask departing employees to sign a clearance or final settlement stating that all dues have been received. Once signed, it becomes much harder to claim a difference later. Don't sign until you've checked the figures. If you disagree with part of the calculation, write your objection on the document or in a covering email before signing, or ask for the disputed amount to be listed separately. Our final settlement checklist walks through what to check.
This guide explains the general process. If a large amount is at stake or the employer disputes the facts, a licensed labour lawyer in the relevant country can advise on your specific case.
Calculate your gratuityChecked against the published labour law text for each country. Where the law is unclear or interpretations differ, we say so. Last verified 30 September 2026.