More than 17,000 workers in the UAE filed confidential labour complaints in 2025 to claim their rights, according to figures released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The ministry said the confidential reports, submitted through its approved platforms, point to a subtle but important shift in how workers view their place in the labour system — not just as employees, but as partners in safeguarding fair and lawful workplaces.
Confidential reporting, it added, has become a key mechanism for addressing violations without exposing complainants to pressure or retaliation.
The figures also highlight a growing role for society at large in labour oversight. More than 4,000 community reports were submitted last year by members of the public to flag improper labour practices, reinforcing a participatory monitoring model involving workers, employers and the wider community.
In addition, more than nine million workers completed mandatory guidance programmes in a single year. These programmes aim to strengthen the understanding of rights and obligations and reduce violations linked to a lack of legal awareness.
To support this effort, the ministry operates 326 labour awareness and guidance centres across the country, providing in-person assistance and information in workers’ native languages.
Digital channels are also playing an increasingly prominent role. In 2025, more than three million workers completed self-guided orientation programmes through digital platforms.
According to the ministry, guidance and awareness programmes are delivered in 17 languages, including Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, Sinhala, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Bengali, Dutch, French, German, Russian, Malayalam, Pashto and Swahili.
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