In the UAE, paying your domestic worker’s monthly salary through the Wages Protection System (WPS) is possible. This electronic system has been approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and offers a convenient and secure way to pay your employee.
With WPS, employers can pay their domestic workers’ wages through banks, money exchanges, and financial institutions that have been authorized by the UAE Central Bank to provide wage payment services. This ensures that your employee receives their salary on time and in a reliable manner.
By utilizing the Wages Protection System, you can streamline your payment process and avoid any potential issues that may arise from traditional payment methods. It’s a simple and effective way to ensure that your domestic worker is compensated fairly and on time.
Why should you pay through WPS?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) highlights the advantages of enrolling your domestic worker in the Wages Protection System. These benefits include:
- Safeguarding the employer’s ability to verify the payment process of wages.
- Simplifying the transfer of wages from the employer to the domestic worker.
- Guaranteeing prompt payment of wages.
- Establishing a stable relationship between the employer and the domestic worker.
By registering your domestic worker with the Wages Protection System, you can ensure that both parties are protected and that the payment process is transparent and efficient. This not only benefits the employer but also promotes fair treatment and respect for the domestic worker.
How to register a domestic worker with WPS?
As per the guidelines provided by MOHRE, it is imperative to ensure that you possess both your Emirates ID and your worker’s Emirates ID before proceeding with the registration process. Once you have these documents in hand, you can visit any of the approved banks, financial institutions, or money exchange houses to register your worker with WPS.
It is important to note that the WPS registration service is currently available for 19 professions. However, starting from April 1, 2023, the service will only apply to five professions.
- Personal tutor
- Private agricultural engineer
- PRO (Public Relations Officer)
- Personal trainer
- Home care provider
The Ministry has established 19 distinct professions for domestic workers. These include housemaids, sailors/boatmen, security guards, household shepherds, household horse groomers, household falcon trainers, physical laborers, housekeepers, cooks, nannies/babysitters, farmers, gardeners, personal drivers, private agricultural engineers, personal assistants, personal nurses, personal tutors, and personal trainers.
These professions have been carefully selected to encompass a wide range of skills and expertise required for domestic work. From the physical labor of a farmer to the intellectual prowess of a personal tutor, each profession plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of a household.
It is important to note that these professions are not limited to traditional gender roles. Men and women alike can excel in any of these professions, and it is up to the individual to choose the path that best suits their skills and interests.
By defining these professions, the Ministry aims to provide clarity and structure to the domestic work industry. This will not only benefit the workers themselves but also the households that employ them. With clear job descriptions and expectations, both parties can work together to create a harmonious and productive environment.
Rules around wage payment
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has emphasized the importance of timely payment of wages for domestic workers registered with their system. Employers must pay their workers within 10 days from the due date. Failure to register the worker in the Wage Protection System (WPS) will result in administrative penalties for the employer. Employers must comply with these regulations to ensure fair treatment of domestic workers and avoid legal consequences.
Also Read: Here are 10 violations employers should avoid when hiring domestic workers in the UAE