New UAE law for domestic workers: Fines up to Dh200,000 for recruiting domestic workers illegally in the UAE, explained
The law provides for five more violations that can get you a similar penalty
Dubai: The new federal law regarding domestic workers' rights and recruitment in the UAE came into force on Thursday, December 15.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced the issuance of Federal Law No. 9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers on October 5.
The new law is a comprehensive framework which aims to regulate the recruitment of domestic help in the UAE and safeguard the rights of all the parties involved, which includes workers, employers and recruitment agents.
The legislation stipulates working hours, weekly breaks and leave for domestic workers and affirms domestic workers' right to a paid day off per week.
Article 27 of the law explains the penalties for violating the domestic labour law.
Clause (3) of the Article states that a fine of at least Dh50,000 and up to Dh200,000 will be imposed on individuals that employ domestic workers illegally in the UAE. You can also face this penalty for misusing work permits that were issued for domestic workers or employing a worker who is under the age of 18.
Here is a detailed look at Article 27 (3) of the law.
Article 27, Clause (3)
3. A fine of at least Dh50,000 and up to Dh200,000 shall be imposed on those who commit the following:
a. Provides employment to a domestic worker without obtaining a work permit for the latter.
b. Employs or recruits a domestic worker and fails to provide him/her with employment.
c. Make use of work permits for domestic workers for purposes other than those for which they were issued. This is not an official translation
d. Closure or cessation of the recruitment agency operations without following the necessary procedures for the settlement of domestic workers' dues in violation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, its Implementing Regulation, and the decisions issued in implementation thereto.
e. Recruits or employs a juvenile under the age of 18 years, in violation of this Decree-Law.
f. Assisting a domestic worker to abandon employment or providing them with shelter or housing in order to exploit or employ them in an illegal man