📅 June 2026 · 10 min read · Source: qiwa.sa, hrsd.gov.sa
How to File a Labour Complaint on Qiwa 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide
Your employer hasn't paid your salary. They're delaying your EOS. They terminated you unfairly. Here is exactly what to do — from gathering evidence to submitting your complaint on Qiwa and escalating to the Labour Court if needed.
Before you start: Qiwa complaints are free, available in English, and do not require a lawyer. You need your Absher login to access the portal. The process takes about 15 minutes to submit, and the Ministry typically responds within 21 days.
What Types of Complaints Can You File on Qiwa?
The Qiwa platform handles complaints between private sector employees and employers in Saudi Arabia. It covers a wide range of violations under the Saudi Labour Law. The most common types are:
Unpaid or delayed salary — employer has not paid on time or has withheld wages
Delayed or refused end-of-service (EOS) — gratuity not paid within 14 days of contract end
Unjust termination — fired without legal grounds or without proper notice
Unpaid overtime — worked extra hours but not compensated at 150%
Contract violations — employer changed your role, salary, or conditions without consent
GOSI non-registration — employer failed to register you or make contributions
Annual leave denial — leave entitlement refused or cancelled improperly
Iqama non-renewal — employer failing to renew your residency permit
Step 1 — Gather Your Evidence Before Filing
The single biggest factor in winning a labour complaint is the quality of your evidence. The Qiwa system and Ministry investigators work from documented records, not verbal accounts. Collect everything you can before you submit.
Essential Documents
✅ Employment contract — signed copy, in Arabic and English if available
✅ Payslips — for at least the last 3–6 months
✅ Bank statements — showing which salary payments were made and which were missed
✅ Iqama copy — front and back
✅ Written communications — WhatsApp, email, or letters from your employer about the issue
✅ Qiwa employment record — screenshot of your profile page on qiwa.sa showing your employer and contract details
For Specific Complaint Types
Complaint Type
Additional Evidence to Collect
Unpaid salary
WPS records (your employer's payment history on Qiwa), bank statement showing missing deposits
Delayed EOS
End-of-employment letter, date you last worked, any written promise of payment
Unjust termination
Termination letter (or evidence that none was given), performance records, disciplinary letters
Overtime not paid
Work schedule, attendance records, manager messages asking you to stay late
GOSI non-registration
Check your GOSI record yourself at gosi.gov.sa — screenshot if the record is missing
✅ Pro tip: Before filing, check your Qiwa profile at qiwa.sa to confirm your employment is still registered under the correct employer. If your contract details are wrong, note this — it may be relevant to your complaint.
Step 2 — Try to Resolve It Directly First (Recommended)
This step is optional but strongly recommended. Before going to Qiwa, send your employer a short written message — email or WhatsApp is fine — clearly stating the problem and what you need. Keep it factual and calm: "My salary for May 2026 has not been paid. Please confirm the payment date."
Two things happen when you do this. First, some employers will resolve the issue quickly to avoid an official complaint. Second, if they do not respond or refuse, your message becomes evidence that you tried to resolve things amicably — which can strengthen your case.
Give them 3–5 business days to respond. If there is no resolution, proceed to Qiwa.
Step 3 — File Your Complaint on Qiwa
Here is the exact step-by-step process as of June 2026:
Go to qiwa.sa and click "Login" in the top right corner.
Log in with your Absher credentials — your National ID or Iqama number and password. If you have not set up Absher, do this first at absher.sa.
From the main menu, select "Labour Complaints" — it appears under the "Services" section.
Click "New Complaint" and select the category that matches your situation (e.g., "Wage Violation", "End of Service", "Termination").
Fill in the complaint form: describe the violation in clear, factual terms. Include dates, amounts, and names. Avoid emotional language — stick to facts and figures.
Upload your supporting documents. Accepted formats are PDF and JPEG. Compress files if needed — the system has size limits. Upload everything you collected in Step 1.
Review and submit. You will receive a case reference number by SMS and email. Save this — you will need it to track progress.
⚠️ Language tip: The Qiwa portal is available in English, but make sure names, company names, and amounts exactly match your contract and payslips. Discrepancies can slow down the process.
Step 4 — The Mediation Process
Once your complaint is submitted, the Ministry of Human Resources (HRSD) takes over. Here is what happens next:
Day 1–3: HRSD assigns a mediator and notifies your employer of the complaint.
Day 3–7: Your employer must respond to the complaint through Qiwa or via HRSD.
Day 7–21: The mediator attempts to resolve the dispute. Both parties may be called in for a session — this can happen in person at an HRSD office or remotely.
Day 21: If resolved, the agreement is documented in Qiwa and is legally binding. If unresolved, the case is automatically forwarded to the Labour Court.
Step 5 — Escalating to the Labour Court
If mediation fails, your complaint is referred to the Saudi Labour Court. You do not need to re-submit anything — the Qiwa system forwards all documentation automatically.
At the Labour Court stage, you have the option to hire a lawyer, though it is not required for straightforward wage cases. Most wage disputes are resolved within 3–6 months. The court can order salary payment, EOS, compensation for unfair termination, and cover your legal costs if you win.
✅ Exit visa during a complaint: If you have a valid labour complaint filed on Qiwa, you may be entitled to request a "final exit" permission through the Ministry even if your employer has not released you. Contact HRSD at 19911 for guidance on your specific situation.
Complaint Timeline Summary
Stage
Timeline
Action Needed
Submit complaint on Qiwa
Day 1
You — 15 minutes online
HRSD acknowledges and notifies employer
Days 1–3
Wait for confirmation SMS
Employer response due
Days 3–7
Monitor Qiwa for updates
Mediation session
Days 7–21
Attend if invited (in-person or remote)
Resolution or referral to Labour Court
Day 21
Accept settlement or proceed to court
Labour Court ruling
3–6 months
Attend hearings, provide evidence
What If You Are Outside Saudi Arabia?
If you have already left Saudi Arabia but still have an unpaid salary or EOS claim, you can still file a Qiwa complaint online using your Absher account. There is no requirement to be physically present in the Kingdom to file. If the case reaches Labour Court, you may need to appoint a representative or lawyer in Saudi Arabia to attend hearings on your behalf.
You have up to one year from your last day of employment to file a complaint. Do not leave this until the last minute — the process takes time and you want to allow room for mediation and court proceedings if needed.
Useful Contacts
Service
Contact
Qiwa platform (complaints)
qiwa.sa
HRSD helpline
19911 (within KSA)
HRSD website
hrsd.gov.sa
GOSI enquiries
gosi.gov.sa or 800 2220 007
Absher (login)
absher.sa
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file a labour complaint in Saudi Arabia? ▼
Go to qiwa.sa and log in using your Absher credentials. Navigate to "Labour Complaints", select the type of violation, upload your evidence, and submit. The Ministry of Human Resources will contact both parties within 21 days.
How long does a Qiwa labour complaint take? ▼
The initial mediation stage takes up to 21 days. If unresolved, you can escalate to the Labour Court, which typically resolves wage disputes within 3–6 months.
Can I file a complaint if my employer hasn't paid my salary? ▼
Yes. Unpaid or delayed salary is the most common labour complaint in Saudi Arabia. You can file immediately on Qiwa. The Wages Protection System (WPS) records are used as evidence of whether your salary was paid on time.
Can I file a Qiwa complaint if I have already left the company? ▼
Yes. Former employees can file complaints within one year of leaving employment. You still have access to Qiwa using your Absher account even after leaving the company.
What evidence do I need for a labour complaint in Saudi Arabia? ▼
Key evidence includes your employment contract, payslips, Iqama copy, bank statements showing salary payments (or lack of them), and any written communications from your employer about the dispute. The more documentation you provide, the stronger your case.
Do I need a lawyer to file a Qiwa complaint? ▼
No. The Qiwa complaint and HRSD mediation process does not require a lawyer. Legal representation becomes more useful if the case escalates to the Labour Court, but even there, many employees represent themselves successfully in straightforward wage cases.
📊 Before you file — know exactly what you're owed
Calculate your EOS, final settlement or GOSI entitlements — so you walk into mediation with the right number.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a qualified Saudi labour lawyer or contact the Ministry of Human Resources at hrsd.gov.sa.
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