How to Respond to an Absence-from-Work Complaint in the UAE
Respond to a MOHRE absence-from-work complaint with attendance, leave and communication evidence instead of ignoring the work-permit consequences.
Start with the correct channel
An absence-from-work complaint is the MOHRE process an employer may use when an employee has been absent for more than seven days, the employer does not know the employee’s location and cannot contact them. If the facts are disputed, the employee should respond through MOHRE quickly and provide dated proof rather than treating the report as a routine HR warning.
Step by step
1. Verify the complaint officially
Check the work-permit status and contact MOHRE through its published channels. Do not pay a caller who claims a fee will make the report disappear.
2. Build a dated evidence file
Collect approved leave, medical records, travel evidence, messages, call logs, attendance data and proof that the employer knew the location or reason for absence.
3. Explain the exact disagreement
State whether the employee was working, on approved leave, prevented from attending, in an active labour dispute or unable to communicate. Keep the account factual and consistent.
4. Track the decision and linked status
Follow every appointment or document request. After the labour issue is resolved, confirm the work permit, residence status and any deadline for cancellation, transfer or departure.
Important: An approved absence complaint can affect the work permit. Ignoring it, leaving the country or starting unauthorised work can create additional problems.
Before you act
MOHRE’s service describes the employer conditions and says the work permit is automatically cancelled after approval in most covered cases. A disputed report should be handled through the Ministry, not by informal promises.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 12 October 2026 against MOHRE — Filing a labour complaint for absence from work ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.