Who are domestic workers?

The Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers defines 18 occupations that fall within the scope of employment of domestic workers, namely:

1. Housemaid
2. Sailor/boatman
3. Guard
4. Household shepherd
5. Stableman/groom
6. Falcon care-taker
7. Physical labour worker
8. Housekeeper
9. Cook
10. Nanny/babysitter
11. Farm worker/grower
12. Gardener
13. Personal trainer/coach
14. Personal/private tutor
15. Personal/private nurse
16. Personal assistant
17. Private agricultural engineer
18. Personal/family driver.

Regulation of domestic workers’ recruitment

Domestic workers’ recruitment agencies, which operate under the supervision of Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), undertake the task of recruiting domestic workers and matching them with prospective employers according to their needs. The recruitment agency provides additional services of typing ministry's permit for domestic workers as well as advising, guiding and training domestic workers.

Packages for hiring domestic workers:

Recruitment agencies offer three packages for hiring domestic workers:

1. Traditional package: Under this system, a domestic worker is hired from abroad. The worker will be registered in the employer's file and will reside with the employer during the contract period.
2. Temporary package: Under this package, a domestic worker would be registered with the employment agency for a contract for a set period. During this time, the domestic worker would not be allowed to reside at the employer’s accommodation as a domestic worker.
3. Flexible package: Under this package, a domestic worker would be registered with the employment agency and could working in a flexible system; such as for a few hours or days in a month.

Areas of the domestic labour law

The Law on Domestic Workers and Cabinet Resolution No. 22 of 2019 regarding the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law No. 10 of 2017 on Domestic Workers (PDF, 350 KB) regulate the following matters:

• organisation of the work of recruitment offices for domestic workers
• terms and conditions of contracts for domestic workers
• duties and rights of the parties (employers, domestic workers and employment agencies)
• settlement of disputes
• penalties.

Entitlements of the domestic workers

As per the Domestic Labour Law, domestic workers are entitled to:

1. payment of wages, as set out in the standard contract, within 10 days from the day they are due
2. 1 day of paid rest per week
3. 12 hours of rest per day, including 8 hours consecutive rest 
4. 30 days paid vacation per year
5. medical insurance provided by the employer  
6. 30 days medical leave per year 
7. a round trip ticket home every 2 years 
8. a decent accommodation 
9. decent meals at the employer’s expense 
10. attire suitable for the job to be carried out, at the employer’s expense
11. possession of their personal identification papers such as passports, IDs, etc. 
12. either the employer or the worker can refer a dispute to Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The ministry will attempt to resolve the dispute amicably within a period of two weeks. If it is not resolution within two weeks, then the matter will be referred to a court.
13. cases filed by workers are exempt from court fees at all stages of litigation and must be heard in a speedy and prompt manner.

Sponsorship by residents

Cabinet Resolution No. (22) of 2019 Regarding the Executive Regulation of the Law on Domestic Workers, provides that expatriate residents cannot hire a domestic helper unless on temporary basis and not being under his/her sponsorship under provisions set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The following categories exempted from the above regulation:

• individuals and families who have a monthly income of 25,000 AED from known legal sources
• persons permitted to sponsor domestic helpers under decisions of the UAE Cabinet
• patients with accredited medical coverage, provided that their family members have a monthly income of over 15,000 AED
• holders of senior designations such as consultants of different specialties, judges and legal counselors
• any other cases defined by the competent minister according to the labour regulations.

   

  Related links

• MOHRE announces adoption of new residency standards related to support service workers – WAM

Legal prohibitions

Domestic Labour Law prohibits the following:

• the employment of anyone under the age 18
• discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion and  political opinion
• sexual harassment, whether verbal or physical
• forced labour or trafficking in accordance with national law and ratified international conventions
• exposure to physical harm
• assignment of tasks that are not covered under the contract.
  

Regulation of recruitment agencies

According to the Domestic Workers Law, only those who have the licence to hire domestic workers, may do so.

Obligations of the recruitment office towards domestic workers:

The recruitment office has the following obligations towards the domestic workers:

1. giving the worker, the opportunity to view the job offer and obtain his/her signature and consent
2. informing the worker about the specific terms and conditions required from him by the employer and about his obligations to the employer
3. conducting the required medical examinations of the worker within no more than 30 days prior to his/her entry into the country
4. not to demand or receive any commission or financial reward from the workers to bring them to work in the UAE or for carrying out the process to start working in the country
5. ensuring adequate accommodation and food for the domestic workers
6. hiring workers as per the procedures of the ministry and in line with the relevant laws of the country
7. entering into a contract between the worker and the employer, in accordance with the form approved by the ministry
8. paying the costs of repatriating the worker during the 6-month probationary period subject to conditions mentioned in the law.

*Text provided by MoHRE