Registration of UAE domestic workers in the WPS: which categories are mandatory and which are voluntary?

Dubai: If you are an employer of domestic workers, do you have to register your workers under the Wage Protection System (WPS)? The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) recently required employers to register five domestic worker occupations under the WPS. However, there are many other categories of domestic workers – such as housekeepers, nannies and drivers – who are not required to register with the WPS, and employers can choose to register voluntarily if they wish.

Which worker occupations do you need to register with the WPS and which are voluntary? That’s everything you need to know.

Earlier this month, MOHRE also reminded employers Five categories of domestic workers who should be registered with the WPS. From April 1, 2023, MOHRE began to apply WPS to the following industries:

1. Personal Tutor
2. Private Agricultural Engineers
3. PRO (Public Relations Officer)
4. Personal Trainer
5. Home Care Providers

However, if you have domestic helpers in any of the following occupational categories, you can voluntarily register them with the WPS:

1. Nanny/nanny
2. Butler
3. Maid
4. Sailor
5. Cook
6. Security guard
7. Personal driver
8. Family Shepherd
9. Family Horse Groomer
10. Manual laborers
11. Home Falcon Trainer
12. Farmer
13. Gardener
14. The tamer

According to MOHRE, these are the benefits of registering your domestic worker with the WPS:

• Uphold the employer’s right to certify the wage payment process.
• Simplify the process of transferring wages from employers to domestic workers.
• Ensure timely payment of wages.
• Stabilize relationships between parties.

According to MOHRE, you first need to ensure that you have your own Emirates ID, as well as the staff’s Emirates ID. You will then need to visit any approved bank, financial institution or currency exchange office to enroll workers in WPS.