If you think that "domestic worker" in the UAE only refers to housemaids, the law has a broader definition.

According to the list published on the official UAE government platform, 19 job categories fall under the title of domestic workers; ranging from housemaids, cleaners, cooks, and babysitters to personal drivers, home caregivers, personal trainers, private tutors, gardeners, shepherds, and even falcon keepers.

UAE authorities have emphasized that the hiring of these workers must be done through licensed recruitment centers approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

What rights do domestic workers have?

According to the law, these workers are entitled to one day of paid weekly rest, at least 12 hours of daily rest with 8 consecutive hours, and 30 days of annual paid leave.

Additionally, the employer must pay wages no later than 10 days after the due date, provide suitable housing and food, and cover the worker's medical treatment or health insurance costs.

The worker is also entitled to a round-trip ticket to their home country every two years. Personal identification documents such as a passport must also be in the worker's possession.

The employer cannot force the worker to work for someone else or assign them a job different from their contract without their consent.

In case of work-related injury or occupational disease, the employer is responsible for compensation.

On the other hand, the worker is also obliged to work according to the contract, take care of the employer's property and belongings, maintain the privacy of the workplace, and not work for another person without the Ministry's permission.

What are the penalties?

Some violations can result in up to 6 months in prison and fines ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 dirhams. Hiring someone without a work permit, abandoning a worker without work, or hiring individuals under 18 can also incur fines of 50,000 to 200,000 dirhams.

Operating recruitment or temporary hiring without a permit can lead to up to one year in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to one million dirhams.

In some cases, the penalty for violations can be calculated from 5,000 to one million dirhams for each worker, with a total reaching up to 10 million dirhams.

If the same violation occurs again within a year of the ruling, the penalty may be doubled.

If a dispute arises between the employer and the domestic worker, both parties can submit their complaint to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation; the Ministry will first attempt to resolve the dispute, and if unresolved, the case will be referred to the competent court.
Source: Gulf Times