Last Verified: 1 Nov 2026 Work & Salary

MOHRE WPS Salary Delay: How to File a Non-Payment Complaint via UAE PASS

Practical guide on the UAE Wages Protection System (WPS), defining statutory salary due dates, automated late salary fines on employers, and the complete step-by-step procedure to lodge a non-payment claim through MOHRE using UAE PASS.

Who Is This Guide For?

UAE private sector employees facing unpaid or delayed monthly salaries, HR professionals managing WPS compliance, and legal advisers.

Required Documents

1. Active UAE PASS digital identity.
2. Official MOHRE Labor Card / Contract Number.
3. Bank account statements or exchange house receipts proving non-receipt of salary.
4. Company name and trade license details (if available).

Verified Official Fees & Costs

MOHRE Complaint Filing Fee: 100% Free for workers.
WPS Statutory Due Date: 1st of each month; salary is deemed delayed if unpaid after the 15th day (Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2022).
Company Penalties for WPS Default: Suspension of new work permits starting on the 17th day after due date; administrative fines ranging from AED 1,000 to AED 50,000 for repeated non-compliance.

Key Takeaway: Under Cabinet Resolution No. 43 of 2022, salaries in the UAE are due on the 1st of each month and deemed legally late after 15 days. Employees can register a completely free complaint via the MOHRE portal using UAE PASS, triggering automatic sanctions against defaulting employers.

1. What Is the UAE Wages Protection System (WPS)?

The Wages Protection System (WPS) is an electronic salary transfer mechanism jointly operated by the Central Bank of the UAE and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The platform enables regulatory authorities to monitor private sector payroll disbursements in real time, guaranteeing that employees receive contractual wages without unauthorized deductions or delays.

Under Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2022:

Wages are legally due on the first (1st) day of the month following the pay period.
A wage payment is officially classified as late or delayed if unpaid after the fifteenth (15th) day of the month.
Establishments must transfer wages through approved financial institutions and exchange houses registered in the WPS network.

2. Automatic Sanctions on Non-Compliant Employers

When a company fails to process wages through WPS within the prescribed timeframe, the MOHRE electronic system automatically triggers progressive penalties:

Day 17 Post-Due Date: Automatic suspension of new work permit applications for the defaulting establishment.
30 Days Delayed: Formal notice issued, judicial referral, and potential suspension of all establishments owned by the same proprietor.
Financial Fines: Ranging from AED 1,000 per delayed worker up to AED 50,000 for systemic non-payment.

3. Step-by-Step: Filing a Salary Complaint via UAE PASS

Step 1: Authenticate with UAE PASS

Visit mohre.gov.ae or open the official MOHRE smartphone app. Select "Log In" and authenticate using your UAE PASS biometric or facial recognition.

Step 2: Access Labor Dispute Services

Navigate to "Services" → "Labor Disputes" → "Register Labor Complaint". The system will automatically retrieve your labor contract, company name, and salary history.

Step 3: Submit Bank Evidence & Details

Select "Salary Non-Payment", specify the missed months, and attach your latest bank statement confirming zero WPS credit for the relevant period.

Step 4: Conciliation & Case Referral

A MOHRE legal counselor will schedule an online conciliation session within 7-14 days. If the employer fails to disburse wages, MOHRE will refer the matter directly to the competent Labor Court.

Related Tools & Calculators

Check your exact wage entitlement and statutory daily rate:

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

1. Waiting months before filing a complaint: Filing promptly protects WPS tracking and enables MOHRE intervention before business liquidity worsens.
2. Filing without active UAE PASS: Registering UAE PASS beforehand ensures instant identity verification and expedited case tracking.
3. Accepting off-the-books cash wages: Receiving wages outside WPS invalidates electronic proof of payment under MOHRE regulations.
4. Fearing immediate termination: UAE law strictly protects employees from retaliatory dismissals resulting from legitimate labor claims.

Official Government Sources & Public Portals

Verified against the following official government links on 1 Nov 2026:

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a salary officially considered late under UAE WPS rules?

Under Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2022, wages are due on the first day of the month following the wage period. A salary is officially deemed delayed if it is not paid within fifteen (15) calendar days from the due date.

Does it cost anything to file a salary complaint with MOHRE?

No. The complaint process through the MOHRE website or mobile application is completely free of charge for employees.

Can I transfer to another company if my employer consistently fails to pay my salary?

Yes. Under MOHRE regulations, if an employer fails to pay wages for more than 15 consecutive days, the employee may be granted permission to transfer to another employer without the consent of the defaulting establishment.

Servexa UAE

Who Is This Guide For?

Required Documents

Verified Official Fees & Costs

1. What Is the UAE Wages Protection System (WPS)?

2. Automatic Sanctions on Non-Compliant Employers

3. Step-by-Step: Filing a Salary Complaint via UAE PASS

Related Tools & Calculators

Servexa UAE

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Frequently Asked Questions

Servexa UAE