UAE salary rules will require private sector employers to pay wages by the first day of every month from June 1, 2026.
DUBAI: The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced major changes to salary payment deadlines for private sector companies, introducing stricter compliance measures from June 1, 2026. Under the new UAE salary rules, all eligible workers must receive their monthly wages by the first day of each Gregorian month through the Wage Protection System or another approved payment platform.
The decision was issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 0340 of 2026 and aims to strengthen worker protection while improving transparency across the labour market. Companies will also need to submit official records proving salaries have been transferred correctly and on time.
According to the resolution, establishments will remain compliant if at least 85 per cent of total wages owed to workers are paid by the due date. Employees will also be considered paid if they receive no less than 85 per cent of their entitled wage, provided any deductions are legally justified under UAE labour laws.
The ministry outlined several categories exempt from the Wage Protection System, including workers involved in wage-related court disputes, employees on unpaid leave, seafarers, workers employed by foreign branches receiving salaries abroad, and employees under temporary mission permits. Certain sectors such as banks, financial institutions, public taxis owned by citizens and places of worship are also excluded.
The resolution also lists out 11 cases of exclusion:
| No. | Excluded category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Workers with wage-related labour claims | Employees involved in wage disputes referred to court or subject to an executive ruling for the disputed wage period. |
| 2 | Workers with absconding reports | Employees against whom a valid absconding report has been filed. |
| 3 | Workers under legal restriction | Employees unable to work due to detention or legal restrictions ordered by competent authorities, provided MOHRE is notified with supporting documents. |
| 4 | Workers on unpaid leave | Employees officially on unpaid leave during the approved leave period, with required ministry notification and documentation. |
| 5 | Seafarers | Seafarers working on ships, subject to ministry approval upon employer request. |
| 6 | Foreign workers paid outside UAE | Employees of foreign establishments or branches in the UAE who receive salaries abroad, after worker approval and employer request. |
| 7 | Mission work permit holders | Workers holding temporary mission permits valid for up to three months. |
| 8 | Citizen-owned fishing boats | Fishing boats owned by individual UAE citizens. |
| 9 | Citizen-owned public taxis | Public taxis owned by individual UAE citizens. |
| 10 | Banks and financial institutions | All licensed banks and financial entities operating in the UAE. |
| 11 | Places of worship | Religious institutions and places of worship. |
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will also issue a procedural guide explaining the implementation process for the new resolution.
Authorities confirmed that companies failing to comply with the UAE salary rules will face escalating penalties. New work permits may be suspended within five days of non-payment, while repeat offenders could face administrative fines, labour disputes, travel bans and potential referral to public prosecution authorities.
Officials said the move is designed to improve salary consistency, strengthen labour rights and ensure employers follow the updated UAE salary rules across all private sector establishments.
