EOSB Dispute Resolution — UAE & KSA Complaint Process
When You Need This Guide
If your employer has not paid your End of Service Benefit (EOSB) within the statutory deadline — 14 days in the UAE or 7 days in Saudi Arabia — you have clear legal options to recover what you are owed.
This guide covers the complete dispute resolution process for both countries, from your first written demand through to labour court enforcement. The process is free for employees in both countries.
Use our Settlement Checker first to confirm whether you have been underpaid, and by how much.
Dispute Resolution Flowchart
Written Demand to Employer
Formal letter citing the law. Give 5 working days to respond. Generate letter.
Government Complaint
UAE: MoHRE (mohre.gov.ae) | KSA: HRSD via Qiwa (qiwa.sa). Free to file.
Mediation
Government mediates between you and employer. UAE: 2–4 weeks. KSA: 2–3 weeks.
Labour Court
If mediation fails. Free for employees. UAE: 2–4 months. KSA: 1–3 months.
UAE Dispute Process — Detailed
Stage 1: Written Demand (Days 1–5)
Send a formal letter to your employer's HR department. Reference Article 51 of Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021. State the calculated amount and request payment within 5 working days. Keep proof of delivery.
Stage 2: MoHRE Complaint (Weeks 1–4)
If no response, file via mohre.gov.ae. You need: Emirates ID, employer trade licence number (visible on your contract), and supporting documents. MoHRE will schedule a mediation session — both parties must attend. Most cases resolve at this stage.
Stage 3: Labour Court (Months 1–4)
If mediation fails, MoHRE automatically refers the case. The court reviews evidence and issues a judgment. Enforcement options include freezing the employer's bank accounts and imposing travel bans on company directors.
Free zone employees (DIFC/ADGM): File disputes with the relevant free zone courts, not MoHRE. DIFC Courts: difccourts.ae. ADGM Courts: adgm.com.
KSA Dispute Process — Detailed
Stage 1: Written Demand (Days 1–5)
Send a formal demand referencing Article 84 of the Saudi Labour Law. Include your Iqama number, salary details including all fixed allowances, and the calculated amount. The Arabic version of your contract is the legally binding one.
Stage 2: HRSD Complaint via Qiwa (Weeks 1–3)
File through qiwa.sa using your Absher login. Select "Labour Complaint" and category "End of Service Benefits". Upload all documents. HRSD will contact the employer and schedule mediation. If your employer does not respond to HRSD, this counts against them.
Stage 3: Labour Court (Months 1–3)
KSA labour courts are generally faster than UAE. First hearing is typically within 2–3 weeks of referral. Courts are employee-friendly — if your documentation is solid, judgments are usually straightforward. The court can enforce payment through employer bank account freezes.
GOSI records: Download your GOSI (General Organisation for Social Insurance) statement from gosi.gov.sa. This government record of your employment history and registered salary is powerful evidence that employers cannot dispute.
UAE vs. KSA Dispute Process — Side by Side
| Aspect | UAE | KSA |
|---|---|---|
| Payment deadline | 14 days | 7 days |
| Filing authority | MoHRE (mohre.gov.ae) | HRSD via Qiwa (qiwa.sa) |
| Filing cost | Free | Free |
| Mediation timeline | 2–4 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Court timeline | 2–4 months | 1–3 months |
| Court fees for employees | Free | Free |
| Limitation period | 1 year | 12 months |
| Language | Arabic (translation available) | Arabic |
| Enforcement tools | Bank freeze, travel ban | Bank freeze, travel ban |
Evidence Checklist (Both Countries)
The strength of your case depends on your documentation. Collect all of the following before leaving your employer:
Essential Documents
- Employment contract (original or copy)
- Last 12 months of payslips
- Bank statements showing salary deposits
- Termination letter or resignation acceptance
- Your written demand letter and any response
- Emirates ID / Iqama copy
Strengthening Evidence
- EOSB calculation PDF (from our calculator)
- GOSI statement (KSA — gosi.gov.sa)
- WPS records (UAE — via MoHRE)
- HR correspondence (emails, WhatsApp messages)
- Visa cancellation document
- Any salary certificates issued by employer
Pro tip: Gather all documents before your last working day. Once you leave, it becomes harder to obtain records from your employer.
When to Hire a Labour Lawyer
You do not need a lawyer for straightforward EOSB claims. The government complaint process is designed to be accessible without legal representation.
Consider hiring a lawyer if:
- Your claim exceeds AED 50,000 / SAR 50,000 — the stakes justify professional representation
- Your employer disputes your contract terms, salary, or dates of employment
- You worked in a free zone (DIFC, ADGM) — separate legal framework
- Your case involves Article 44 (UAE) or Article 80 (KSA) misconduct allegations
- Your employer has filed a counter-claim against you
- You do not speak Arabic and need representation in court
- Your employer is in liquidation or bankruptcy
Cost: Labour lawyers in the UAE and KSA typically charge AED 5,000–15,000 / SAR 5,000–15,000 for EOSB cases. Some work on contingency (percentage of recovered amount).
Conflict-Related EOSB Disputes (2026)
If your employment ended due to the ongoing regional conflict, your rights are the same — EOSB is owed regardless of the circumstances of termination.
- Force majeure does not eliminate EOSB. Neither UAE nor KSA law allows employers to avoid EOSB obligations by claiming force majeure.
- Office closures = employer-initiated termination. If your employer closed operations, you are entitled to full EOSB as a terminated employee.
- Self-evacuation: If you resigned to evacuate, this is treated as a standard resignation. Your EOSB entitlement depends on your country and years of service.
- Unreachable employer: File a MoHRE/HRSD complaint — the government can pursue claims against non-responsive employers.
For more details, see our Emergency Guidance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EOSB dispute process free?
Yes. Filing a complaint with MoHRE (UAE) or HRSD (KSA) is completely free. Labour court proceedings are also free for employees claiming unpaid entitlements in both countries.
How long does an EOSB dispute take?
Most cases resolve at the mediation stage (2–4 weeks in UAE, 2–3 weeks in KSA). If court proceedings are needed, expect an additional 2–4 months in UAE or 1–3 months in KSA.
Can I file an EOSB complaint from outside the country?
Yes. Both MoHRE (UAE) and HRSD/Qiwa (KSA) accept online complaints. You can file remotely from your home country within the 12-month limitation period.
Does force majeure or war cancel my EOSB?
No. Neither UAE nor KSA law allows employers to avoid EOSB obligations due to force majeure, war, or pandemic. Your entitlement remains regardless of the reason your employment ended.
What if my employer goes bankrupt?
EOSB is classified as a priority debt in both UAE and KSA insolvency proceedings. File your claim with the relevant authority — employee wages and entitlements are typically paid before other creditors.