The UAE government has made it compulsory for employers to pay salaries of certain domestic workers through the Wage Protection System (WPS), according to the latest directive from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
According to a Gulf News report, effective April 1, the WPS is now required for employers hiring private trainers, private teachers, home caregivers, private representatives, and private agricultural engineers. These professions must have their salaries paid electronically via banks, exchange houses, or financial service providers authorised by the Central Bank of the UAE.
The ministry emphasized that the WPS is designed to safeguard the rights of both employers and workers, ensuring salaries are paid accurately and on time. Under current rules, wages must be disbursed in UAE dirhams within 10 working days from the agreed due date.
While the system remains optional for other job categories like housekeepers, cooks, nannies, drivers, and gardeners, MOHRE is encouraging all employers to enroll. Registration requires Emirates IDs of both the employer and the worker, and contracting with a WPS-approved agent.
Authorities warned of administrative penalties, including suspension of an employer’s file, for non-compliance. Employers who delay payments beyond one month from the due date or fail to use the WPS for more than two months may face enforcement actions.
MOHRE says it continues to notify employers regularly to ensure full compliance and promote fair labor practices within homes across the UAE.
