The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has unveiled strict new rules requiring private sector companies to pay employee salaries on the first day of every month starting June 1, 2026.

The move, introduced under Ministerial Resolution No. 340 of 2026, is part of a wider push to strengthen wage protection and improve labour compliance across the UAE.

Salaries must be paid on time

Under the new regulation:

• Salaries for the previous month must be transferred through the approved Wage Protection System (WPS) or another authorised payment platform.
• Any payment made after the due date will officially be considered delayed.

The ministry also stated that companies must provide proof and documentation confirming salary transfers.

What happens if companies delay salaries?

Authorities outlined escalating penalties that become more severe the longer salaries remain unpaid.

From Day 2:

• Companies enter electronic monitoring
• Warning notices are issued

From Day 5:

• Suspension of new work permits may begin
• Employers are formally notified to clear the unpaid wages

From Day 11:

• Administrative fines apply for repeat violations
• Companies may be downgraded to the third business classification category

From Day 16:

• Labour disputes may be automatically registered for workers
• More permit restrictions could follow, especially for larger companies and sectors such as:
  • Construction
  • Transport
  • Cleaning
  • Security
  • Recruitment services

From Day 21:

For companies employing 50 or more workers, repeated violations could lead to:

• Referral to public prosecutors
• Asset seizure orders
• Travel bans on company officials

When is a company still considered compliant?

The ministry clarified that businesses remain compliant if they transfer:

• At least 85% of total wages are on time

Employees also won’t be classified as unpaid if missing amounts are linked to legally documented deductions.

Some sectors exempt

The decision excludes:

• Short-term permits under three months
• Fishing boats
• Citizen-owned taxis
• Banks
• Places of worship

The UAE has long pushed for stronger worker protections, but this marks one of the toughest enforcement frameworks yet for salary delays.

Thousands of parents across the UAE may finally have reason to relax after major clarifications to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) three-language framework eased fears of extra academic pressure on students.

The revised policy, set to take effect in the 2026–27 academic year, initially sparked concern among educators and families about how students in Grades 9 and 10 would meet the new language requirements.

What’s changing?

Under the updated structure, students entering Grade 9 from July 2026 will study three languages classified as:

• R1
• R2
• R3

The move is part of reforms linked to India’s National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.

Why UAE schools feel relieved

According to UAE-based educators, CBSE has allowed overseas schools greater flexibility in implementing the system.

• R1 can be English
• R2 can be Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, or Tamil
• R3 can be Arabic for UAE students
  

Importantly, R3 will not be board-examined, reducing stress for students. Only R1 and R2 will count toward Grade 10 board evaluations, while R3 will appear through internal assessment.

Earlier concerns had parents worried

One of the biggest fears was that students, especially non-Indian nationals studying in CBSE schools, might be forced to learn two Indian languages.

The recent clarifications have eased those concerns significantly, particularly for international schools and students of determination.

While schools say Arabic at R3 is manageable, some institutions are still worried about foreign-language offerings like French.

Full refund after re-evaluation

Meanwhile, in a major relief for thousands of Indian curriculum students across the UAE, CBSE has announced that Grade 12 students will receive a full refund if their marks increase after re-evaluation. The move comes as a student-friendly response following a wave of concerns shared by students on social media, many of whom felt their initial grades were lower than expected due to the board’s newly introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) system.

Motorists in Dubai are being urged to think twice before hitting the horn, as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police step up efforts to tackle noise pollution and improve road discipline across the emirate.

Authorities stressed that vehicle horns are intended strictly as a safety tool, not for frustration, impatience, or unnecessary noise.

When is honking actually allowed?

According to officials, horns should only be used in situations such as:

• Warning road users of immediate danger
• Alerting distracted drivers or pedestrians
• Responding to emergencies inside the vehicle

Any use beyond these situations is considered improper and contributes to unnecessary disturbance, especially near residential communities, schools, and hospitals.

The penalty could surprise drivers

In a previous warning shared on X, Dubai Police confirmed that motorists caught misusing vehicle horns may face:

• Dh400 fine
• Four black points on their driving record

The move forms part of wider efforts to create safer, quieter, and more respectful roads throughout Dubai.

More than just noise

Officials say excessive honking doesn’t just annoy residents, it also affects traffic discipline and public comfort, particularly in densely populated areas.

The latest awareness campaign is aimed at encouraging more responsible driving behaviour as Dubai continues pushing for smarter and safer mobility standards.

So next time traffic gets frustrating, authorities are making one thing clear: your horn is for safety—not stress relief.