The UAE has been consistent in taking measures that ensure the protection of domestic workers' rights. A law that will soon be introduced will complement what has been achieved so far and will offer these workers improved working and living conditions.
Domestic workers have been part of the economic growth that has been taking place in the country over the past few decades. With the steady increase in their numbers, laws had to be introduced to protect their rights. The new draft law aims at ensuring decent working and living conditions.
Hence, it provides clearly defined conditions of employment, including payment of recruitment agency fees by the employer and a mandatory day off every week. The law, which was passed by the UAE Cabinet in January, aligns the country's rules with those of the International Labour Organisation's Convention 189 and Recommendation 201 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.
It is important that laws that are being introduced cover the rights and responsibilities of all the parties involved. Yet what is also critical here is the manner in which the implementation of the law is monitored, evaluated, and improved in the future.
