A lower-than-expected salary should be checked against the contract, payslip, attendance and bank credit before anyone assumes the cause. UAE private-sector law permits specific deductions, but it does not give employers an unlimited right to reduce wages. Article 25 of the official UAE Labour Relations Decree-Law lists the permitted cases and limits.
This guide explains how to read a deduction and organise a question. It is not a substitute for case-specific legal advice, and the current law and MOHRE guidance should be checked when facts are disputed.
Identify the deduction precisely
Compare the gross contractual wage, basic wage, allowances, days worked and each deduction line. Ask for a written breakdown if the payslip uses a code that is not explained. A payroll error, an absence calculation and a loan repayment require different evidence.
The UAE salary payment-record guide explains how to match WPS and bank evidence. If the employer says the contract changed, review the employment-contract change checklist.
| Deduction type | Article 25 point to check | Useful evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Loan repayment to employer | Worker’s written consent; no interest | Signed loan terms and repayment schedule |
| Excess amount previously paid | Up to 20% of wage | Original payroll and correction calculation |
| Disciplinary violation | Up to 5% of wage | Policy, investigation and written decision |
| Court debt | Up to one quarter, except alimony priority | Current court instruction |
| Worker-caused damage | Up to five days’ wage monthly unless court approval allows more | Damage record, investigation and calculation |
| Combined deductions | Total deduction or withholding generally up to 50% | Complete payslip and all orders |
Check consent and supporting records
A label on a payslip does not prove the amount is correct. For an employer loan, look for written consent and a schedule. For damage, ask what happened, how responsibility was established and how the value was calculated. For a court-ordered amount, keep the official instruction rather than relying on a verbal summary.
If the issue began during probation, the UAE probation guide helps separate notice questions from wage calculations. A worker’s status does not remove the need for accurate payroll records.
Build a deduction review file
- Signed employment contract and approved amendments.
- Payslip for the affected month and two comparison months.
- Bank or exchange-house wage record.
- Attendance, leave and overtime records.
- Loan consent, court order or disciplinary decision where relevant.
- Your written request for the calculation.
- Employer response and any MOHRE case reference.
Ask payroll a narrow question
Write the pay period, expected amount, amount received and exact deduction code. Ask which legal or contractual basis applies and request the calculation. A focused message is easier to answer and creates a clean timeline if escalation is required.
If the wage itself is delayed, use the UAE salary-delay and WPS guide. For doubts about the original employment terms, the job-offer verification guide explains which documents to compare.
Escalate through the correct channel
When a clear written request does not resolve the issue, contact MOHRE through its current official service and describe facts in date order. Upload only the requested documents and keep the complaint reference. Do not create multiple cases for the same deduction unless MOHRE directs you to do so.
Do not sign a statement that says all wages or deductions are correct if it does not match your records. If employment is ending, the work-permit cancellation and final-pay guide helps organise the exit documents.
Why percentages need context
Article 25 contains limits for particular deductions as well as an overall ceiling. Applying a percentage without identifying the deduction type can produce the wrong answer. More than one order may also exist, and alimony has special priority in the court-debt provision. That is why the payslip, source document and current official advice should be reviewed together.
Keep full, unedited copies of statements in secure storage. Redact unrelated information only on a copy intended for submission, and never share banking passwords or one-time codes with someone offering to “fix” payroll.
Questions people often ask
Can a UAE employer deduct any amount from salary?
No. Private-sector law lists permitted cases and sets conditions and limits, including an overall limit on combined deductions or withholding.
Can an employer deduct repayment of a loan?
Article 25 permits recovery of loans granted to the worker with written consent and without interest.
What is the limit for recovering an excess wage payment?
The law states that an excess amount paid to a worker may be recovered up to 20% of the wage.
What should I do if a deduction code is unclear?
Ask payroll in writing for the legal or contractual basis and a complete calculation, then keep the reply with the payslip and bank record.
Where can I dispute an unresolved salary deduction?
Use MOHRE’s current official complaint channel if your employment is under its jurisdiction, providing the contract, payslip, payment record and supporting documents.
