Absconding (absence from work) reports: the rules

What MOHRE calls an absence-from-work complaint is what most people call an absconding report. An employer may file it only when a worker has been absent without a lawful reason for more than 7 consecutive days, the employer does not know where the worker is and cannot contact them, and the worker is inside the UAE. The employer attaches the worker's entry and exit report from ICP (not older than 30 days) and pays any outstanding work-permit fines. MOHRE decides within about 2 working days and informs by SMS; once approved, the work permit is cancelled automatically (except recruitment-from-abroad and transfer permits). If the report is proven, the worker cannot get a new work permit for one year from the absence date. Exceptions in the Executive Regulations: workers on a family-sponsored residence, golden visa holders, a new permit at the same establishment, workers with skills the country needs, and categories set by the Minister. A worker with a valid report is also excluded from the Wage Protection System. Either party can ask MOHRE to cancel the report (free, about 14 working days). MOHRE cancels it if 7 consecutive days had not passed, the worker was on leave or had a legitimate reason, the worker was actually at work, the employer agrees to restore the relationship and pays the permit fines, or both sides agreed to end the contract. Workers: keep leave approvals, medical reports and messages. Employers: keep proof of your attempts to reach the worker. Our staff can check a status and prepare either request. A malicious or false report is fined AED 5,000 per worker (Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020).