The UAE has opened the Wage Protection System (WPS) — the protected, tracked payment rail used for company employees — to domestic-worker salaries: mandatory for five professions since 1 April 2023 and optional for the other fourteen, including maids, nannies, drivers and cooks (Ministerial Resolution No. 675 of 2022). If you sponsor a maid, nanny, driver or cook, here is what the 2026 rules mean for you: how to pay, the new overtime maths, what changed in disputes, and the fines if you get it wrong.
✏️ Corrected 3 September 2026: an earlier version said the Wage Protection System was mandatory for all domestic workers. MOHRE makes it mandatory for five professions and optional for the other fourteen (MOHRE, 13 April 2023; Ministerial Resolution No. 675 of 2022).
Short answer: Pay your domestic worker through a WPS-approved channel (bank transfer, licensed payroll card or wallet registered under the system) rather than cash — the law requires it for the five mandatory professions, and for the rest it is optional but strongly recommended, because the transfer record is your proof of payment. Overtime beyond the standard 10-hour day is compensated at 125% of the hourly rate, and unresolved disputes now go from MOHRE mediation to the Court of First Instance. Violations carry fines from AED 5,000 to AED 50,000.
What the 2026 rules actually say
| Topic | The rule |
|---|---|
| Salary payment | Through WPS-approved channels; cash is not recognized proof of payment |
| Contract | MOHRE unified standard contract only — verbal agreements don’t count |
| Working hours | Standard 10-hour day; beyond that = overtime at 125% of the hourly rate |
| Disputes | MOHRE amicable settlement first; if unresolved → Court of First Instance |
| Penalties | AED 5,000–50,000 per violation (unpaid wages, passport retention, abuse, contract breaches) |
| Core benefits | Medical insurance, accommodation & meals, 30 days annual leave, return ticket per contract |
How to pay your maid through WPS (once, then it’s routine)
If you hired through a Tadbeer centre or licensed agency it already is. The salary figure in that contract is the amount WPS expects to see paid.
A bank transfer to the worker's account, or a licensed payroll-card/wallet provider registered under the system. Your Tadbeer centre can set this up with you at hiring.
Issued against her Emirates ID — a one-time step the provider or centre walks you through.
Same amount as the contract, every month, through the same channel. The record builds automatically.
Raise agreed? Update the contract. Deductions? Only what the law allows and document it — mismatches are what trigger disputes and fines.
The overtime rule most employers miss
The standard working day for domestic workers is 10 hours. Hours beyond that are overtime, compensated at 125% of the regular hourly rate. A worker is also entitled to daily rest of at least 12 hours (including 8 consecutive hours) and a weekly rest day. If your household routinely needs longer coverage, hire for two shifts or agree overtime properly — “she lives here so she’s always on duty” is exactly what the law now prices.
💡 Disputes changed too: a wage or contract dispute goes to MOHRE first for amicable settlement. If that fails, it now proceeds to the Court of First Instance — faster and cheaper than the old route. Either way, the WPS payment history is the first document everyone looks at.
Hiring in the UAE? Start with a verified centre
On GCC Domestic you can compare MOHRE-licensed Tadbeer centres and agencies across the UAE — contract, salary setup and the worker’s rights handled correctly from day one, WPS included.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay my maid through WPS in the UAE?
Only if your worker is in one of the five mandatory professions (private agricultural engineer, personal public relations officer (PRO), personal healthcare provider, private tutor and private trainer). For a maid, nanny, cook or driver WPS registration is optional under Ministerial Resolution No. 675 of 2022 — but a cash payment without a signed, dated receipt leaves you with no proof, while MOHRE can verify a WPS transfer instantly.
What is the overtime rate for domestic workers in the UAE?
125% of the regular hourly rate for hours beyond the standard 10-hour working day. The worker is also entitled to at least 12 hours of daily rest (8 consecutive) and a weekly day off.
What are the fines for breaking the domestic-worker rules?
AED 5,000 to AED 50,000 per violation — covering unpaid or delayed wages, passport retention, abuse, and contract breaches. Serious cases can also carry a ban on hiring domestic workers.
Where do maid disputes go now?
To MOHRE first for amicable settlement. If it isn't resolved there, the case goes to the Court of First Instance under the amended rules — a shorter judicial path than before.
Does WPS apply if I hired through the Tadbeer monthly package?
On the monthly/flexible packages the centre is the employer and pays the worker — WPS compliance is the centre's job. The rules above apply in full when YOU sponsor the worker directly.
Related guides
- UAE domestic-worker labour law: the employer's guide
- How much does it cost to hire a maid in the UAE?
- How to file a maid insurance claim in the UAE