Does MOHRE cover free zone employees?

It depends on the zone. Some free zones (JAFZA, Hamriyah, Sharjah free zones) operate under federal labour law and MOHRE handles disputes. Others — most notably DIFC and ADGM — have their own employment laws and their own dispute resolution forums. You must check your employer's licence to know which regime applies.

Where do DIFC and ADGM employees file disputes?

DIFC employees file at the DIFC Courts (the Small Claims Tribunal for claims up to AED 500,000, the regular court above). ADGM employees file at the ADGM Courts via their Small Claims and Employment Division. Both are common-law-based courts that operate in English, with different procedures than mainland labour court.

Are gratuity rules different in free zones?

For most free zones operating under federal law, the same Decree-Law 33/2021 gratuity formula applies. DIFC employees are now under the DEWS pension scheme (mandatory monthly contributions instead of end-of-service). ADGM has its own employment regulations with a similar contribution model. Check your contract carefully.

Free Zone vs Mainland Disputes: Why MOHRE Won't Help DIFC, ADGM and JAFZA Employees

A recurring shock for UAE expats: you file a salary or termination complaint with MOHRE, expecting them to handle it — and they refuse. Reason: your employer is in a free zone, and federal labour law (the law MOHRE enforces) may not apply to you.

The Two Regimes

UAE employment law splits into two broad categories:

Federal Decree-Law 33/2021 — mainland employers and most "regular" free zones (JAFZA, Hamriyah, RAKEZ, SAIF Zone, Dubai South, etc.). MOHRE has jurisdiction.
Special financial-zone laws — DIFC Employment Law and ADGM Employment Regulations. These zones have their own courts and their own dispute resolution forums. MOHRE does not handle these cases.

How to Tell Which Applies to You

Check your trade licence — the issuing authority is named at the top.
DIFC — licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority. DIFC Courts.
ADGM — licensed by the Abu Dhabi Global Market. ADGM Courts.
Any other zone — almost certainly federal law and MOHRE.

What This Means in Practice

Jurisdiction	Where to File	Notes
Mainland (any emirate)	MOHRE 80060 / app	Federal Decree-Law 33/2021
JAFZA, RAKEZ, SAIF, Hamriyah, Dubai South, etc.	MOHRE (same as mainland)	Federal law applies
DIFC	DIFC Courts — Small Claims Tribunal (≤ AED 500k)	DIFC Employment Law; common-law procedure
ADGM	ADGM Courts — Small Claims & Employment Division	ADGM Employment Regulations

What's Different About DIFC and ADGM Cases

English-language proceedings. Documents and hearings are in English.
Common-law procedure. Closer to UK/Singapore style than mainland UAE civil procedure.
End-of-service. DIFC uses the DEWS pension contributions instead of a lump-sum gratuity. ADGM has its own scheme. Read your contract carefully.
Filing fees apply. Unlike mainland claims under AED 100k, DIFC/ADGM small claims have filing fees (small, but not waived).
Generally faster. DIFC Small Claims often resolve in weeks, not months.

If MOHRE Refused Your Case

Confirm the licensing authority on your contract or via the Ministry of Economy unified portal.
If DIFC: file at the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal — difccourts.ae.
If ADGM: file via the ADGM Courts portal — adgm.com.
For other "MOHRE-covered" free zones, file via MOHRE the normal way and reference your specific zone.

Tools

AI Employment Rights Assistant — tell it your employer's free zone for jurisdiction guidance.
Generate a Formal Complaint Letter — bilingual templates that adapt to mainland or free zone framing (AED 99).
Scan Your Employment Contract — identify the jurisdiction clauses before signing.