For most people in the UAE, payday is about more than just receiving your salary; it is also the day you settle any credit card debt, pay your phone bill, pay any loan instalments, and reset your monthly budget.
Even a short delay in salary payments can have a ripple effect on personal finances - which is why a change to the country's salary protection rules, which came into force on June 1, matters to both employers and private sector workers.
As of this month, the UAE has ended a 15-day grace period that previously allowed companies to pay wages late without penalty, introducing stricter oversight and tougher consequences for employers who miss these deadlines.
The move is designed to better align paydays with the realities of household budgeting, reducing the risk of late fees, credit card interest and other unnecessary costs. But what should you do if your salary does not arrive on time? And how can you build a financial buffer to protect yourself from unexpected disruptions?
This week, we break down what the new rules mean for your rights, your budget and your financial peace of mind.
Have you previously been affected by late salary payments? Let us know at [email protected].
What to do if your UAE salary is late: Rights and recourse under new rules
Under the new regulations recently introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, private sector employers must pay workers by the first of each month or face automatic penalties, permit suspensions and fines.
Companies are considered compliant when 85 per cent of total wages are paid on schedule. For employees, The National asked experts what you should do if your salary does not arrive on time.
Read the full story to find out what they said.
In case you missed it …
- My Dubai Salary: 'I save 70% of my income – every dirham is going towards buying our first home'
- The cost of waiting: Why delaying investment may be your biggest financial mistake
- UAE Property: Could travel disruptions derail Dubai’s overseas buyer boom?
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