What is the Wage Protection System penalty for late salary?

Under the UAE Labour Law and the WPS executive regulations, an employer who pays salaries through WPS more than 15 days after the agreed pay period faces escalating administrative penalties from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) ^[1]:

Days 16–30 late

• The establishment file is flagged. New work-permit applications are blocked until back wages are paid.

Days 31–60 late

• Administrative fines per affected employee.
• Potential downgrade of the establishment's MOHRE classification (which affects fees and quotas going forward).

60+ days late, or repeated breach

• Higher fines.
• Suspension of new work permits across the establishment.
• Possible referral to the criminal courts where the conduct shows wilful refusal to pay.
• Public-tender disqualification (relevant for contractors).

What employees can do:

• File a complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline — the complaint can be filed individually or by a group.
• Provide evidence: payslips, contract, salary deposit history, bank statement.
• MOHRE typically engages a labour-mediation step first; unresolved cases go to the labour court.
• An employee whose wages are over 60 days late can resign without notice and retain full end-of-service entitlements.

For your specific case, file the complaint promptly — delay weakens evidence — and consult a UAE-licensed labour lawyer if the amount is significant.