This guide maps the UAE’s work and labour system in one place: the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), mandatory ILOE unemployment insurance, labour contracts, work-permit and absconding checks, fines, and how to file a complaint. MOHRE is the federal authority that regulates the private-sector labour market, and almost every task below runs through its portal or app. Each section links to a step-by-step page for the exact thing you need to do.
ILOE: mandatory unemployment insurance
Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) is the UAE’s compulsory unemployment insurance scheme. Most private-sector and federal employees must subscribe within four months of their work permit being issued, and missing that deadline triggers an AED 400 fine. The premium is small, AED 5 or AED 10 a month depending on your salary, and a valid subscription pays up to 60% of your basic salary for up to three months if you lose your job. Start here if you have been told you owe a fine or need to subscribe.
- Check and pay your ILOE fine online
- Subscribe to or renew ILOE insurance
- Apply for an ILOE fine waiver
- Claim your ILOE job-loss benefit
- Is ILOE mandatory? Category A vs B explained
Labour & service centres
Many labour transactions still pass through an approved service centre rather than being fully online. Tasheel centres handle MOHRE labour and work-permit paperwork, Tawjeeh centres run the mandatory worker-orientation sessions, Tadbeer centres manage domestic-worker visas, and Amer centres cover Dubai residency services. These pages list locations, timings, and what each centre actually does, so you turn up at the right place with the right documents.
- Tasheel centres: services & timings
- Tawjeeh centres in Dubai
- Tawjeeh centres in Abu Dhabi & Sharjah
- The Tawjeeh class: what happens and the fees
- Tadbeer centres: domestic-worker visas
- Amer centres in Dubai
MOHRE checks & status enquiries
Before you change jobs, renew a permit, or sign a contract, it pays to confirm what MOHRE actually has on record for you. These checks run against your Emirates ID, labour card, or work-permit number and show your live status in minutes. There is no charge to look, you only pay if there is a fee or fine to settle.
- MOHRE enquiry: labour card & contract status
- Check your labour contract online
- Check your work permit status
Absconding cases & labour bans
An absconding report or a labour ban can quietly block your next job offer or visa, and many people only discover one when an application is refused. The good news is that both can be checked online, and both can often be resolved without a lawyer if you act early. A false absconding report carries its own penalties for the employer, so knowing exactly where you stand matters.
- Check for an absconding case
- Remove absconding status
- Check for a labour ban
- Remove or lift a labour ban
Pay, complaints & your rights
UAE labour law sets clear rules on salaries, notice periods, end-of-service gratuity, and how to raise a dispute. Wages are protected through the Wages Protection System (WPS), and MOHRE runs a formal complaint channel for delays and contract breaches. These pages explain your rights in plain terms and show you the official routes to enforce them.
- UAE labour law 2026: probation, notice & resignation
- WPS & salary-delay complaints
- File a MOHRE complaint
- Salary certificate vs salary slip
- Employer fine for not cancelling a visa
Changing employer often means a new visa as well as a new permit. When you reach that stage, our UAE visa and immigration guide covers cancellation, status checks, and the 2026 rule changes that sit alongside the labour process.
Frequently asked questions
What is MOHRE?
MOHRE is the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the UAE federal authority that regulates the private-sector labour market. It issues work permits, registers labour contracts, runs the Wages Protection System, administers ILOE insurance, and handles labour complaints. Most employee services are available through the MOHRE portal at mohre.gov.ae and the MOHRE app.
Is ILOE insurance mandatory in the UAE?
Yes, for most employees. ILOE is compulsory for private-sector and federal-government workers, who must subscribe within four months of their work permit being issued. Investors, domestic workers, temporary-contract staff, under-18s, and pensioned retirees are exempt. Failing to subscribe results in an AED 400 fine, which you can check and clear online.
How do I check my work permit or labour ban?
Both are checked through MOHRE using your Emirates ID, labour card, or work-permit number. Work-permit status and labour-contract details are available on the MOHRE portal and app, while absconding and labour-ban checks confirm whether anything is blocking your next job or visa. The checks are free; you only pay if there is a fine to settle.
Last verified: June 2026
Reviewed by: UAEexplained editorial team
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)