United Arab Emirates: Wages Protection System Implemented for Companies Registered with the Dubai Multi Commodities Center

Effective immediately, companies registered with the Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC) are required to pay the salaries of their employees who hold an active or expired employment visa or Personal Identity Card through the Wages Protection System (WPS). Affected employers must ensure that their employees are registered for the salary transfer through the WPS as employers who fail to pay salaries through the system will be subject to DMCC portal sanctions and fines beginning on an unspecified date in January 2024. Employers can attend one of DMCC’s webinars covering the WPS registration process and timelines and which will also address inquiries; the next webinar is scheduled for March 9, 2023. The WPS was implemented in the United Arab Emirates in 2009 and was previously only required for employers registered in select jurisdictions such as the mainland and the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone.