Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Private sector salaries in the UAE will now officially become due on first day of every month under new wage protection rules introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
The change is part of a stricter enforcement system designed to reduce delayed salary payments and improve compliance among private companies across the country. Under the updated rules, employers must transfer salaries for the previous month through the Wage Protection System (WPS) or another payment platform approved by MOHRE. Any payment made after the due date will be considered delayed. For employees, this means May 2026 salaries are officially due on June 1.
Under the phased enforcement system, authorities can electronically monitor delayed salary payments from the second day after salaries become due.
However, the new rules significantly tighten the timeline for regulatory intervention against employers that fail to pay workers on time. The ministry said the changes are intended to organise wage payment processes, increase compliance rates, support labour market stability and improve transparency around employer obligations. Under the phased enforcement system, authorities can electronically monitor delayed salary payments from the second day after salaries become due.
By the fifth day of delay, companies may face administrative consequences linked to work permit issuance and other labour-related services. The penalties will become stricter for repeat violations and larger employers. Companies employing 50 workers or more could eventually face tougher legal measures if salary delays continue for extended periods.
The ministry has also introduced clearer benchmarks for what counts as salary compliance. Companies that pay at least 85 per cent of total wages on time may still be considered compliant under certain conditions, particularly where remaining deductions are legally documented.
