A new joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in GCC states (EB-GCC) highlights significant progress made by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in ensuring timely and full payment of wages in the private sector. The report, Wage Protection Systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Regional Analysis, provides the first regional overview of the innovative Wage Protection Systems (WPS) implemented across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. These electronic salary transfer systems enable government oversight of private sector wage payments and were developed in alignment with the ILO Protection of Wages Convention and Recommendation of 1949, representing a regional innovation in transparency and accountability.
The findings were presented at an information meeting hosted by the EB-GCC at ILO headquarters in Geneva, which brought together policymakers, worker and employer representatives, and international organizations under the ILO-led Global Coalition for Social Justice. Over the past 15 years, GCC countries have significantly strengthened wage protection frameworks, using WPSs to ensure compliance with legal obligations and reduce wage-related disputes. The report analyzes the design, operation, and effectiveness of these systems, drawing on data from GCC government focal points and insights from a joint ILO–GCC workshop, while also identifying best practices, challenges, and actionable recommendations for further improvements.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo praised the collaboration between the ILO and GCC, emphasizing that the report serves as a valuable reference for countries seeking to enhance transparency and fairness in wage payment. GCC Executive Bureau Director-General Mohammed Al-Obaidli underscored the Bureau’s longstanding partnership with the ILO and highlighted the WPS implementation as a model for other nations aiming to strengthen wage protections.
Developed under the ILO’s FAIRWAY Programme, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the report also sets the stage for a follow-up workshop with GCC member states. This workshop will focus on reviewing findings, identifying practical measures to strengthen wage protection systems, expanding compliance and coverage, and further promoting decent work outcomes throughout the region.
