MOHRE: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

MOHRE - the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation - is the primary federal authority governing the UAE private-sector labour market. It sets and enforces the rules that apply to most expatriate employees working outside of the financial free zones, including contracts, working hours, leave entitlements, and termination procedures. Employees in the DIFC and ADGM operate under separate frameworks administered by those free zones.\n\nA key MOHRE system that directly affects expatriate employees is the Wage Protection System (WPS), which requires private-sector employers to pay salaries electronically through approved channels. Under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, effective 1 June 2026, an establishment is deemed compliant when it transfers at least 85% of total wages due to workers by the due date - raised from the previous threshold of 80%. Similarly, a worker is treated as paid if they receive at least 85% of their wages by that date.\n\nMOHRE also administers the Emiratisation programme, which sets quotas requiring private-sector companies above certain sizes to employ a defined proportion of UAE nationals. The ministry's Labour Market Observatory, updated in February 2026, provides data and analytics on workforce trends across the UAE private sector.

For English-speaking expats in the UAE, MOHRE is the first point of reference for employment rights. Your work permit (labour card) is issued through MOHRE, your employment contract must be registered with the ministry, and any formal labour complaint is typically filed there. Understanding how MOHRE classifies your employer and employment category determines which protections and entitlements apply to you.\n\nThe WPS requirement is particularly relevant: if your employer is not paying salaries through a WPS-approved channel, or is consistently late, that is a compliance failure under MOHRE rules. The 85% wage payment threshold introduced in the June 2026 resolution means that persistent underpayment - even partial - can trigger employer penalties. Expats should retain payslips and bank records, and consult the official MOHRE website or helpline for guidance on filing a complaint if needed.