The Federal Decree-Law No.9 of 2022 Concerning Domestic Workers was published on Thursday, October 5, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE), with the intention of enhancing domestic workers’ rights in the United Arab Emirates.
After being published in the Official Gazette for three months, the law that was passed on September 9 will take effect. It safeguards the rights of all parties to a relationship, including employees, employers, and recruiting agents. It encompasses all facets of domestic labor law. According to the law’s executive regulations, the new laws also outline working hours, weekly breaks, and leave for domestic employees and reinforce their right to a paid day off each week.
The consequences for breaking the domestic labor rules are described in Article 27 of the law.
A fine of at least Dh50,000 and up to Dh200,000 would be imposed on people who hire domestic employees in the UAE illegally, according to clause (3) of the article. You may also be subject to this fine if you employ someone under the age of 18 or misuse domestic worker work licenses that were provided to you.
Here is a detailed look at Article 27 (3) of the law.
Article 27, Clause (3)
- Those who engage in the following crimes face a fine of at least Dh50,000 and as much as Dh200,000:
- Employs a domestic helper without first securing the latter’s work visa.
- Hires or employs a domestic worker but does not provide him or her a job.
- Using domestic worker work permits for purposes other than those for which they were given is prohibited. This translation is not authentic.
- The shutting down or ceasing of recruiting agency operations without adhering to the required processes for the payment of domestic workers’ dues, in contravention of the terms of this Decree-Law, its Implementing Regulation, and the judgments made in accordance therewith.
- Violates this Decree-Law by hiring or recruiting a minor under the age of 18.
- Helping a domestic worker quit their job or giving them a place to live in order to take advantage of them or use them in an unlawful job
Also Read: Domestic worker absconding? Here’s how to complain to MOHRE