Overview
- Private-sector employers must pay the prior month’s wages by the first day of each Gregorian month starting June 1, 2026, with any later payment counted as delayed.
- Compliance is met only if at least 85% of total wages are transferred on time, and a worker is treated as paid if at least 85% of their lawful salary is received.
- Companies must route salaries through the Wage Protection System or other MOHRE-approved channels and submit documents that prove payment.
- For late pay, MOHRE can suspend new work permits, issue fines, place travel bans on the responsible manager, escalate penalties after 21 days, and refer repeat violators with 50 or more staff to the Public Prosecution.
- Defined exclusions limit automatic application to cases such as active wage disputes, absconding reports, unpaid leave, legal restrictions, seafarers, foreign-paid staff, short-term missions, and certain entities like banks and places of worship.