How to File a Labour Complaint in Oman for Unpaid Gratuity or Wages

In Oman you must apply to the Ministry of Labour before you go to court. The Ministry has up to 30 days to settle, and if it cannot, it refers the case to court within 7 days of the last settlement session (Art. 9). A right lapses one year after it fell due, so file early.

The Ministry of Labour handles private-sector labour complaints first. Lawsuits filed with the court without a settlement application to the competent division of the Ministry are not admitted (Art. 9). The Ministry's e-service "Submit labour complaints (individuals)" is the online route.

1. Ask your employer in writing first. The demand letter generator gives you a dated letter to keep as proof. This is not a legal step, but it shows you tried to settle.
2. Log in to the e-service. The Ministry page says you can use your civil ID or PKI, or your passport and visa details.
3. Submit the complaint. Choose the complaint type, describe what you are owed and attach your documents. Keep your complaint number.
4. Hearing. The system books hearings directly for types that need one, such as wage complaints. Both you and your employer are told by text message and email.
5. Settlement. The Ministry has up to 30 days to settle. A settlement report can be enforced, and a complaint can be closed once it is settled.
6. Referral. If it is not settled, the Ministry refers the dispute to the competent court within 7 days of the last settlement session.

If several workers have the same complaint, the e-service allows a group complaint. Work out your figure first with the Oman gratuity calculator.

• General rule: the right to claim anything under the Labour Law lapses one year after the date it fell due (Art. 9). The year runs from when each right fell due, which is not necessarily your last day: an unpaid wage from months ago has its own clock. Gratuity falls due when the employment relationship ends (Art. 61).
• If you were dismissed: complain to the competent entity within 30 days of being told of the decision (Art. 10). If the dismissal was arbitrary, the law allows compensation of 3 to 12 months' gross wage on top of your gratuity and notice pay (Art. 11).

Worker claims are exempt from judicial fees (Art. 13). No Ministry filing fee is published.

• Your civil ID, or your passport and visa details if you do not have one.
• Your employment contract.
• Payslips or bank statements showing what you were paid.
• The notice, letter or message that shows how and when the job ended.
• Your own calculation of what is owed, with the dates you used.

The Ministry does not need your employer's agreement. If settlement fails, it refers the dispute to the court within 7 days of the last session, and the court decides.

Gratuity is at least one month's basic wage per year of service on your final basic wage, with no reduction for resigning (Art. 61). It applies to workers who are not covered by the Social Protection Law, until the savings system starts. Read the complete Oman gratuity guide, and compare your payment with the settlement checker.