Qatar accounts: changes to your Wages Protection System payment files coming 4 April

Last updated: 8 February 2021

Starting 4 April 2021, in accordance with regulations set by the Qatar Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor, and Social Affairs, all salary payments issued using the Wages Protection System (WPS) must include predefined reason codes when salary deductions are made using the updated WPS V1 file format.

What’s changing?

From 4 April, when you submit WPS payments using File Upload or HSBC Connect, we strongly recommend using the updated WPS V1 file format.

The WPS V1 file format will support the following new fields, as required by updated local regulations:

  • Housing allowance
  • Food allowance
  • Transportation allowance
  • Overtime allowance
  • Deduction reason code

Note: you can continue to use the existing file format following 4 April, however we recommend updating to the latest V1 format to avoid potential delays or rejections in the future.

What this means for you

Beginning 4 April, a predefined deduction reason code is required when the deduction amount is greater than zero.

If you send WPS payments using File Upload or Connect, review the changes that you’ll need to make to your WPS payment files before 4 April.

Find out more

If you have any questions, please contact your local HSBC Client Services representative.