Salient features of the contract

A new unified contract to regulate the rights and duties of domestic workers will be enforced from April 1.

The contract will improve the quality of life of domestic workers who constitute a large segment of the UAE's workforce, said Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.

Features of the contract:

- Contract valid for two years

- Three copies of contract in Arabic and English, with each party having one and a third with the Residency Department

- A month's paid leave in two years

- Unit at Residency Department to arbitrate disputes

- One-way ticket at end of contract

- If the contract is ended by the sponsor before its expiry, a ticket and a month's salary shall be paid to the worker. If it is ended by the worker, he or she will be charged for the ticket.