DUBAI // The grace period for companies unable to sign up for the initial phase of the wage protection system (WPS), which says that all companies must pay their workers through banks, will end by April 1, a senior labour ministry official said yesterday.
"There are no obstacles for companies to enrol in the system and those which had some internal technical issues were given a grace period, but now they need to adhere to the rule or they will be banned from issuing new work permits," said Mohsen al Nasi, the ministry's acting director of the WPS office.
The ministry granted extensions to 300 companies included in the system's first phase to allow them time to finalise their procedures. The waiver was granted only after the ministry ensured workers at those firms were paid on time.
Earlier this month, the ministry said some 800 companies have been stopped from hiring new workers because they failed to enrol in the programme. However, Mr al Nasi said the number of companies from the first phase currently outside the system "is declining as more of the banned companies are enrolling in the system to lift the ban".
Some 3,000 companies included in the initial phase have already complied with the new system.
The labour ministry, in co-operation with the Central Bank, launched the programme in May after a January 2009 cabinet decision which stipulated that all companies pay their workers through banks. The system was set up to ensure that workers were being paid on time and that no unlawful deductions were made. The WPS enables the ministry to check, through online notifications, if any company is defaulting on salaries or making illegal deductions from the salaries.
Financial institutions to which the workers' salaries are being transferred will feed their details into the WPS. So far, 54 banks and 24 exchange agencies are licensed to offer WPS services, according to the latest ministry statistics.
A ministerial decision issued in July outlined three phases for the implementation of the system. About 35,000 companies included in the second phase must enrol by April 1 and all 269,100 private companies in the country must sign up by May 31.
wissa@thenational.ae
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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More coverage from the Future Forum
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
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TRAP
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Director: M Night Shyamalan
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.
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Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
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"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
ATP WORLD No 1
2004 Roger Federer
2005 Roger Federer
2006 Roger Federer
2007 Roger Federer
2008 Rafael Nadal
2009 Roger Federer
2010 Rafael Nadal
2011 Novak Djokovic
2012 Novak Djokovic
2013 Rafael Nadal
2014 Novak Djokovic
2015 Novak Djokovic
2016 Andy Murray
2017 Rafael Nadal
2018 Novak Djokovic
2019 Rafael Nadal