What Is The Wage Protection System In The UAE?

What Is The Wage Protection System In The UAE?

In the hiring world, each new regulation introduces additional requirements to the recruitment process in the UAE. The Wage Protection System (WPS) is one such regulation. This article explains the WPS so you can focus on what matters most: finding the right talent for your organisation.

Compliance is a central part of the recruitment process in the UAE. Integrating a global HR system can help organisations efficiently manage regulatory requirements like the Wage Protection System (WPS), which ensures employees receive their salaries on time and in full. This article outlines what the WPS is and how it affects your recruitment process.

What Is the Wage Protection System in the UAE?

The Wage Protection System (WPS) is an electronic salary transfer platform developed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE. It ensures that workers in the UAE’s private sector are paid their wages in full and on time through authorised financial institutions.

The WPS enables employers registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) to process salaries efficiently while supporting transparency and accountability in wage payments. Salaries must be transferred through the WPS in line with UAE labour regulations, helping protect employee rights and supporting businesses to remain compliant.

Since April 2023, the WPS has also applied to specific domestic worker roles, including private teachers, home caregivers, agricultural engineers, private trainers, and private representatives.

When Is a Wage Considered Due?

A worker’s wage is due on the first day of the month after the month it was earned. If wages are not paid within 15 days of the due date, the employer is considered late, unless the employment contract specifies a shorter payment period.

WPS Compliance Requirements

 To remain compliant with the WPS:

• Employers must add new employees to the WPS within 30 days of their start date.
• Wages must be paid at least once a month if no specific payday is stated in the contract.
• Employers must ensure that at least 90% of their workforce is paid monthly.
• Each worker must receive at least 80% of their agreed wage.
• Employers must notify MOHRE if an employee is on unpaid leave or has resigned.

These requirements apply only to salary payments and do not cover bonuses, commissions, or end-of-service benefits.

When Is an Establishment Considered Compliant?

Establishments are considered compliant with the WPS if they pay at least 80% of the wages due to eligible employees. Employees are deemed to have received their wage once they have been paid 80% or more of the amount specified in their employment contract.

Registration for the Wage Protection System (WPS) in the UAE

Who Must Register For The WPS?

WPS registration is mandatory for most private sector companies in the UAE, particularly those that:

• Are onshore entities, such as UAE-based LLCs or branches operating within the country
• Are registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)

Companies that fail to register or do not pay salaries within 10 days of the scheduled payment date may face penalties, including fines and limitations on processing new visa applications.

How to Register for WPS in the UAE

Registration for the WPS is straightforward and can be completed online through the official Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) website.

Required Information for Registration

To begin the registration process, companies must provide the following:

• The company’s bank account details
• A list of employees, including the financial institution through which their salaries are paid
• The name of the bank or financial institution where each employee holds an account
• The planned salary payment date

MOHRE also provides clear instructions regarding data accuracy. 

For example:

• “The salary month cannot differ by more than one month from the chosen salary payment dates.”
• “Whenever an employee joins or leaves the company, you must download an updated employee list and attach it to the application.”

Step-By-Step Process To Register And Operate Under The Wps

Once a company is registered and employee data has been uploaded to the WPS portal, the wage disbursement process follows these key steps:

1. Open a Bank Account

The company must hold an account with a UAE-approved bank or financial institution. If the bank is based outside the UAE, it must also be authorised to handle WPS transactions.

2. Sign a WPS Agreement

The company must enter a WPS agreement with the selected bank or financial institution. This agreement allows the institution to process wages through the WPS system.

3. Submit Salary Instructions

The company provides salary transfer instructions to the bank or financial institution, including all employee payment details.

4. Notify WPS

The bank then forwards the salary information electronically to the WPS system, in coordination with the Central Bank of the UAE.

5. Verification by MOHRE

MOHRE receives the salary data from the Central Bank and verifies the information to ensure compliance with labour regulations.

6. Authorisation and Disbursement

Once verified, MOHRE issues authorisation through the WPS for the bank to release employee salary payments.

Ongoing Obligations and Compliance

Employers are responsible for ensuring that salaries are processed accurately and on time each month. This includes regularly updating employee lists, especially when a worker joins or leaves the company, and adhering to the minimum payment thresholds set by MOHRE (for example, paying at least 80% of each worker’s wage each month).

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What are SIFs for the WPS? How to Prepare for Them

Regarding salary payments under the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS), the term SIF, short for Salary Information File, is essential. It is the digital file that facilitates the entire salary transfer process.

A SIF is not simply a payroll list; it is a structured data file that follows a specific format set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This file ensures employees’ salaries are processed correctly and by UAE labour laws.

Why SIFs Are Important

The Wage Protection System was introduced to protect workers’ rights by ensuring timely and full salary payments. The SIF processes these payments.

If an SIF is incorrectly prepared, it can lead to payment delays, system rejections, or penalties for non-compliance. The SIF is the formal communication between an employer’s payroll records and the WPS system, including banks and MOHRE.

What a SIF includes

Although the exact layout may vary slightly depending on your payroll software, the core data required in a SIF remains consistent. 

It typically includes:

• Employee ID: Usually linked to the employee’s labour card
• Employee Name: Full name as registered with MOHRE
• Job Title: As stated in the employment records
• Basic Salary: Base monthly salary, excluding allowances
• Allowances: Any additional amounts, such as housing or transport
• Deductions: Amounts subtracted, such as loans or penalties
• Net Pay: The final amount paid to the employee after deductions

Accuracy is essential. The figures must be balanced, and the data must match what has been declared to MOHRE.

Preparing a SIF properly

1. Gather accurate payroll data: Pull all required information from your payroll software or internal systems. Verify that employee IDs, names, and salary components are correct.
2. Follow MOHRE’s format: Use the format provided by MOHRE or as set by your authorised WPS agent or payroll provider. This includes file structure, column order, and file type, commonly a .SIF or .DAT format.
3. Validate the file: Before submitting the SIF, use a validator (available in most payroll systems or through your bank) to check for errors or mismatches.
4. Submit via approved channels: Upload the SIF through your authorised bank or exchange house. They will process it, forward the information to the Central Bank, and then to MOHRE for verification.
5. Adhere to deadlines: Salaries must be paid within 10 calendar days of the due date. Failure to do so may result in administrative fines, delays in future salary processing, or restrictions on company operations, such as visa issuance.

WPS Rules in the UAE

1. Who Must Comply with WPS?

WPS compliance is required for all employers registered under the following authorities:

• MoHRE: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
• JAFZA: Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
• DMCC: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

To remain compliant, employers must process the salaries of at least 80% of their workforce through WPS monthly. This rule helps maintain consistent wage practices and reinforces the system’s core objective: to protect workers’ rights.

2. Exemptions from WPS Compliance

While WPS is widely applicable, the system recognises that certain scenarios may require permanent or temporary exemptions.

Exempt Employees

These categories of employees may be excluded from WPS salary processing:

• New employees: Individuals within their first 30 days of employment, counted from the salary due date.
• Employees on unpaid leave: Provided that the unpaid leave is formally documented and reported to MoHRE.
• Absconding employees: Workers who have been officially reported and confirmed as absconding by MoHRE.
• Employees in wage disputes: Where a labour complaint or legal case related to salary has been lodged.

Exempt Employers

Certain employers are permanently exempt from WPS due to the nature of their activities or legal structure:

• UAE Nationals who own fishing boats
• UAE Nationals who operate public taxis
• Banks, which are regulated separately under the Central Bank’s framework
• Houses of Worship

These exemptions are designed to account for specific operational contexts while upholding the UAE's broader principles of fair labour treatment.

3. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with WPS regulations can lead to a series of administrative and legal consequences for employers, including:

• Suspension of work permits until the issue is resolved
• Fines ranging between AED 1,000 to AED 20,000, depending on the nature and frequency of the violation
• Downgrading of the company’s classification within MoHRE, which can affect access to services
• Legal action in more serious or repeated cases

Therefore, employers must stay current with WPS requirements and ensure that payments are processed accurately and within the allowed timeframes.

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Fines and Penalties for Non-compliance with the UAE WPS

The UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS) is a key regulatory framework ensuring workers’ wages are paid in full and on time, according to their employment contracts. The system reflects the country’s commitment to fair labour practices and supports employees and employers.

When Is a Wage Considered Due?

A worker’s wage is due from the first day of the month following the entitlement month. For example, if an employee works through May, their salary is due from 1 June.

When Is a Wage Considered Late?

An employer is considered late in paying wages if payment is not made within 15 days of the due date, unless a shorter period is specified in the employment contract.

Ministry Notifications and Actions

Reminders to Non-Compliant Establishments

If wages are not paid on time, MoHRE sends reminders on the third and tenth days following the due date to prompt corrective action.

Suspension of Ministry Services

MoHRE may suspend its services to non-compliant establishments on the seventeenth day after the due date. These include transactions related to labour permits and other essential services.

Escalated Measures for Continued Non-Compliance

• Inspection and Warnings: Following suspension, MoHRE electronically monitors the establishment. An authorised team conducts field visits, and depending on the findings, warnings may be issued.
• Referral to Public Prosecution: For businesses over 50 employees, continued non-payment leads to more serious consequences. Forty-five days after the due date, MoHRE refers the establishment to the Public Prosecution, and the establishment’s details are shared with relevant government and local authorities.

Impact on Related Businesses

If the owner of the non-compliant establishment owns other companies, all sole proprietorships or entities under the same ownership will be suspended after four months, following prior notification. This considers shared partners and business structures.

Administrative Fines and Reclassification

Fines for Repeated Violations

If an establishment commits a repeated WPS violation within six months, an administrative fine of AED 1,000 per affected worker, capped at AED 20,000, is imposed.

Downgrading of Establishment Category

Repeated violations within the same six-month period will also result in the establishment being reclassified to category 3, affecting the company’s access to various MoHRE services.

Additional Compliance Scenarios

Unpaid Wages Despite Meeting Overall Compliance Threshold

Suppose an establishment pays 80% of total wages but fails to pay one employee’s wages (who is not exempt) for three consecutive months. MoHRE will then issue an electronic notice. Continued non-payment may lead to suspension of the establishment and non-renewal of the affected employee’s work permit unless the issue is resolved.

An inspection will occur if the same issue persists for six consecutive months. If it is confirmed that no genuine employment relationship exists, the matter will be referred to the Public Prosecution, and a fine will be imposed.

How Compliance Is Determined

An establishment is considered compliant if it pays at least 80% of wages due to eligible employees. Similarly, an employee is regarded as receiving their wages if 80% or more of their contractual salary has been paid.

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Book a Demo to Speak with Our Team about Our Global HR System

Cercli is a platform that simplifies HR operations for businesses across the MENA region. It combines workforce management tasks within a single system, helping companies manage local and international teams effectively. 

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• Multi-currency payroll
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Whether a company has 25 employees or 500, Cercli supports organisations in scaling operations and managing remote teams efficiently. The platform is designed to suit the specific business environment of the Middle East, providing expertise relevant to the region.

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