WPS is the UAE Wage Protection System, the federal payroll-through-banks system that requires private-sector employers to pay employee salaries through approved banks. Operated by MOHRE.
What it does
Every salary payment to a MOHRE-registered employee must flow through a WPS-enabled UAE bank or exchange house, with monthly filings against the employer's registered payroll. Late payments beyond 14 days trigger MOHRE penalties — fines on the employer (AED 5,000–50,000 per case) and suspension of new work-permit issuance. WPS also protects the employee's ability to file a wage complaint with documented evidence.
Key facts
| Type | Federal payroll-protection system |
| Jurisdiction | UAE private sector (mainland and most free zones) |
| Operator | MOHRE |
| Late-payment trigger | 14 days past due date |
| Employer penalty | AED 5,000–50,000 + work-permit suspension |
| Official portal | mohre.gov.ae |
