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Compliance

Employer dashboard

Verified constants — WPS, Emiratisation (NAFIS), gratuity provisioning, contract renewals.

Wage Protection System

WPS checklist

WPS payment rules
  • All salaries paid via a WPS-registered agent bank

    The employer's payroll bank must be a WPS-registered agent so MOHRE receives the salary file each cycle.

  • Wages paid within 15 days after the due date

    Wages must be paid within 15 days after the due date, unless a shorter period is stated in the contract.

  • Salary / advance deductions capped at 20% per month

    Advance and salary deductions may not exceed 20% of the wage in a given month.

  • Every active employee is included in the file

    Skipping employees (even temporarily) is treated as a WPS breach. Ex-employees still on the roster likewise need clean off-boarding.

  • All employees hold a valid MOHRE work permit

    Employing a worker without a valid MOHRE work permit exposes the employer to administrative fines.

  • Salaries paid in AED equivalent of the contracted amount

    Contracts may denominate salary in another currency, but the WPS transfer must land in AED at least equal to the contract amount.

Escalation timeline (if wages unpaid)

  • Day 3Electronic reminder notice sent if wages remain unpaid.
  • Day 10Further electronic reminder notice sent if wages still remain unpaid.
  • Day 17New work permit issuance suspended and wage restrictions imposed on the establishment.
  • RemedyA remedy mechanism is available once wages are settled.

Emiratisation (NAFIS)

MOHRE Emiratisation framework

Band A — firms with 50+ skilled employees

  • • 2% skilled-role Emiratisation increase per year, with 1% checkpoints twice a year.
  • • End-of-2026 target: 10% skilled-role Emiratisation.
  • • Non-compliance contribution starts at AED 6,000/month/missing national in 2022, rising AED 1,000/year through 2026.

Band B — firms with 20–49 skilled employees (specified activities)

  • • 2024: 1 UAE national required · non-compliance AED 96,000/year/missing national.
  • • 2025: 2 UAE nationals required · non-compliance AED 108,000/year/missing national.

Gratuity provisioning

FDL 33/2021, Art. 51
  • • 21 days’ basic wage per year for years 1–5.
  • • 30 days’ basic wage per year from year 6 onward.
  • • Capped at 24 months’ basic wage total.

Contract renewals

Contract renewal — general practice

Review contracts nearing their end date and confirm renewal or termination steps ahead of expiry.

General information only — not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a licensed UAE lawyer.