The United Arab Emirates has introduced stricter salary payment rules under the Wage Protection System (WPS), requiring private-sector companies to pay workers on the first day of every Gregorian month beginning June 1, 2026.
Under the updated regulation issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre), salaries paid beyond the first day of the following month will automatically be considered delayed.
Authorities said the move aims to strengthen compliance and ensure workers receive salaries on time across the UAE private sector.
The new rules require all private companies registered with Mohre to distribute wages through the approved Wage Protection System or other authorized payment channels. Employers must also provide proof and documentation confirming salary payments.
Under the regulation, companies will still be considered compliant if they pay at least 85 percent of total wages due to workers by the deadline, accounting for legal deductions or authorized withholdings.
The UAE government also outlined escalating penalties for delayed salary payments.
Authorities will begin issuing notices and alerts starting on the second day after missed payments. By the fifth day, companies may face suspension of new work permit applications.
If salaries remain unpaid by the 11th day, firms could face administrative fines and be downgraded to the third category under UAE labor regulations.
From the 16th day onward, labor disputes may automatically be filed on behalf of workers, while work permit issuance could also be suspended.
Authorities added that by the 21st day after delayed payment, precautionary seizure procedures and travel bans against responsible company officials may also be imposed.
The rules particularly apply to sectors including construction, transport, storage, security, cleaning services, recruitment agencies, and domestic worker recruitment offices.
Certain sectors and worker categories remain exempt from the Wage Protection System, including seafarers, foreign employees of overseas firms paid outside the UAE, workers on short-term permits, public taxi operators, fishing boats, banks, and places of worship.
Officials said the updated system is expected to improve transparency in wage payments and strengthen worker protections across the UAE labor market.
