MOHRE Partners With e& Money For Wage Payments For Domestic Workers
MOHRE Partners With e& Money For Wage Payments For Domestic Workers. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has taken another progressive step towards protecting workers’ rights in the United Arab Emirates. In collaboration with e& Money, MOHRE has introduced a new wage payment solution designed specifically for domestic workers. Through this partnership, workers will receive an IBAN, digital wallet, and prepaid card, ensuring greater financial inclusion and transparency in salary payments.
This initiative extends the scope of MOHRE Wage Protection System (WPS) a system previously applied to private sector employees to also cover domestic workers. It guarantees that salaries are paid securely, on time, and in compliance with UAE regulations.
What is the MOHRE–e& Money Partnership?
The collaboration between MOHRE and e& money is designed to bring domestic workers under the umbrella of the UAE’s Wage Protection System (WPS). Traditionally, WPS catered mainly to private sector employees. With this new move, domestic workers, who often face challenges in receiving wages securely, will now benefit from the same structured protections.
Employers can easily pay wages using the e& money app, which is directly linked with MOHRE’s systems. This ensures compliance with regulations and offers a secure, traceable method for salary transfers.
Why This Partnership Matters
Domestic workers often face challenges such as delayed salaries, lack of access to banking services, and difficulty in tracking payments. The collaboration between MOHRE and e& Money addresses these challenges by:
- Ensuring timely salary payments.
- Providing safe digital financial services.
- Empowering workers with tools like IBANs, e-wallets, and prepaid cards.
- Promoting compliance with UAE’s labour protection laws.
This move reflects the UAE broader commitment to financial inclusion and safeguarding the rights of all workers, regardless of sector.
MOHRE Wage Protection System (WPS)
The Wage Protection System (WPS) was launched by MOHRE to ensure that employees in the UAE are paid correctly and on time. It works by linking employers, employees, and financial institutions through a secure, government-monitored payment framework.
Traditionally, WPS has been applied to private sector employees. Now, with this collaboration, domestic workers are officially included, making the UAE one of the few countries worldwide to extend wage protection systems to household staff.
How the New Wage Payment System Works
Employers of domestic workers will now be able to pay wages directly through the e& Money app, which is fully integrated with MOHRE’s WPS APIs.
- Employer Registration – Employers hiring domestic workers register through the MOHRE services section within the e& money app.
- Automatic Worker Details – Once registered, the domestic worker’s name and salary details appear automatically in the app.
- Salary Payment – Employers can pay salaries with just a few clicks, ensuring wages are transferred securely.
- Financial Inclusion for Workers – Domestic workers receive:
- A unique IBAN number
- A digital wallet
- A Mastercard prepaid card (with a free introductory card available for up to two employees).
This approach not only simplifies payments but also supports transparency and compliance with MOHRE wage regulations.
Key Features of the MOHRE–e& Money Partnership
To better understand the scope of this initiative, here’s a breakdown of its main features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| IBAN for Domestic Workers | Each worker receives a bank-style account number for secure transactions. |
| Digital Wallet | Workers can store money, make payments, and manage finances digitally. |
| Prepaid Mastercard | Provides global access to funds, usable in ATMs and shops worldwide. |
| Seamless MOHRE Integration | Wage data is linked directly with MOHRE systems for compliance. |
| Free Introductory Card | Employers can request up to two free prepaid cards for workers. |
| Timely Salary Payments | Ensures workers are paid on time, reducing disputes. |
| Financial Inclusion | Supports workers who previously had no access to banking. |
This table highlights how the system benefits both employers and workers by simplifying wage payments and ensuring compliance with UAE laws.
Benefits for Domestic Workers
The introduction of IBANs, digital wallets, and prepaid cards provides domestic workers with many advantages, including:
- Secure Salary Payments: Workers no longer rely solely on cash.
- Financial Freedom: Ability to save, transfer, and withdraw funds.
- Inclusion in the Banking System: Many domestic workers are previously unbanked.
- Transparency: All payments are tracked and recorded.
- Accessibility: Funds can be accessed globally via Mastercard networks.
Benefits for Employers
This initiative isn’t just beneficial for workers; it also makes life easier for employers.
- Hassle-Free Payments: Pay salaries through a simple app.
- Compliance with Regulations: Avoid penalties for non-compliance with WPS laws.
- Automatic Record-Keeping: Every payment is digitally recorded with MOHRE.
- Convenience: No need for cash withdrawals and manual salary distribution.
Statements from MOHRE and e& Money
Dalal Alshehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Protection at MOHRE, emphasized that the partnership reflects MOHRE’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights. She highlighted that extending WPS to domestic workers ensures secure and regulated salary payments in line with UAE labour laws.
Meanwhile, Melike Kara, CEO of e& Money, noted that the collaboration is about innovating financial accessibility and democratizing financial services. By integrating WPS into e& Money, employers and workers gain efficiency, trust, and inclusivity within the UAE’s financial ecosystem.
Financial Inclusion: A Step Towards Empowerment
One of the most significant aspects of this partnership is financial inclusion. Domestic workers, who often belong to vulnerable groups with limited access to traditional banking, now gain access to essential financial tools. This promotes:
- Savings culture among workers.
- Empowerment through financial independence.
- Reduced reliance on informal money transfers.
- Global accessibility to funds, improving remittance processes.
Compliance and Security
All transactions are integrated into MOHRE’s system, ensuring:
- Full compliance with UAE labour laws.
- Data security through MOHRE’s Wage Protection System.
- Reduced risks of salary disputes.
- Transparency for both employers and employees.
This makes the new wage payment method legally sound and financially secure.
Broader Impact on the UAE Labour Market
The extension of WPS to domestic workers showcases the UAE’s proactive approach in:
- Protecting worker rights.
- Encouraging digital transformation in the financial sector.
- Setting international standards for fair labour practices.
- Enhancing the UAE’s reputation as a leader in worker welfare.
It also supports the UAE vision of becoming a fully digital economy while prioritizing human rights and labour protection.
Conclusion
The partnership between MOHRE and e& Money marks a transformative step in labour rights and financial inclusion in the UAE. By providing IBANs, digital wallets, and prepaid cards to domestic workers, the initiative not only ensures timely salary payments but also integrates a vulnerable workforce into the country’s financial ecosystem.
