Wage Protection System (WPS): what employers must know

The Wage Protection System is MOHRE's electronic system for paying private-sector wages through approved banks, exchange houses and financial institutions, so the Ministry can see that salaries are paid in full and on time. Since 1 June 2026 Ministerial Resolution 340 of 2026 applies (it replaced Resolution 598 of 2022). Wages for each month are due on the first day of the next Gregorian month; paying later counts as late. An establishment is compliant if it transfers at least 85% of the total wages due by the due date; a worker who receives at least 85% because of lawful deductions is not counted as unpaid. If wages are late: alerts from day 2; new work permits suspended from day 5; on day 11 a fine and reclassification to the third category for a repeat within six months; on day 16 labour disputes registered automatically for larger establishments (25+ workers); on day 21 enforcement steps, attachment, a travel ban on the person in charge and, for 50+ workers with repeated violations, referral to the Public Prosecution. Excluded: wage claims referred to court, workers with a valid absconding report, detained workers and workers on approved unpaid leave (MOHRE must be notified with documents), seafarers, foreign workers of foreign companies paid abroad (with their approval), mission permits up to 3 months, citizen-owned fishing boats and taxis, banks and financial institutions, places of worship. Tip: register unpaid leave or another exclusion before the 1st of the month, so the system does not record the company as late. The fine for not paying a wage through the system is AED 1,000 per worker, up to AED 20,000 (Cabinet Resolution No. 21 of 2020). An establishment may let another party pay its wages if it gives MOHRE that party's details and a copy of the delegation or contract, but the establishment stays responsible for paying on time.