MoHRE shifts several responsibilities of employers to recruitment offices
Abu Dhabi: In a move to simplify the hiring process for domestic workers in the UAE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has rolled out new regulations that shift several key responsibilities from employers to licensed recruitment agencies.
The updated rules aim to streamline procedures, improve service standards, and ensure better support for both employers and workers.
Under the updated regulations, recruitment agencies are now required to handle a range of services on behalf of employers, including the electronic submission, receipt, and printing of applications to the Ministry, as well as assisting in medical examinations and the issuance of Emirates ID cards.
Agencies must also facilitate the pickup of domestic workers from the airport, ensure safe transport to the employer’s residence, and provide information on available nationalities and job roles for recruitment. Additional responsibilities include offering pre-employment interviews, training and preparing workers for their roles, and arranging suitable accommodation for the recruited domestic workers.
MoHRE emphasised that these enhanced services must be clearly outlined by the agencies and formally included within the scope of their licensed activities. In particular, agencies must now be licensed to offer printing services related to MoHRE procedures for domestic workers. To comply, they must add “printing services” to their business licence from the relevant economic development departments. Upon approval, the Ministry will issue official letters authorising the addition of this activity.
Regarding the establishment of branch offices, the Ministry confirmed that recruitment agencies may open branches within the same emirate or in other emirates, subject to five key conditions: assessment and adjustment of the bank guarantee or insurance in proportion to the business volume; compliance with all licensing requirements and documents; adherence to local licensing authority regulations; submission of separate bank guarantees for each branch (as required by the Ministry); and prior approval from the Ministry.
Agencies must activate their licensed branches within three months of approval. This includes obtaining the trade license, notifying MoHRE upon issuance, submitting a copy of the lease agreement, opening establishment files with the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and with MoHRE.
The other steps include ordering e-Dirham devices from Commercial Bank of Dubai, submitting the design of the exterior signage for approval, completing interior and technical works, issuing electronic bank guarantees, submitting original copies to the Ministry, appointing a UAE national manager and customer happiness consultant, and registering the accommodation of domestic workers with the Ministry’s labour housing system.
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