Know the law: How to hire domestic help in UAE

Photo: Alamy

Dubai - Come March, housemaids can only be hired through Tadbeer centres.

By Web report

Published: Fri 22 Jan 2021, 8:59 AM

Last updated: Fri 22 Jan 2021, 9:10 AM

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced that citizens and expats will have to hire domestic helpers only from Tadbeer centres, come March.

The centres, whose services are regulated by MoHRE, will replace private recruitment agencies for housemaids in order to streamline the hiring of this category of blue-collar employees in the country and better protect their rights.

They guarantee a visa, orientation and training to domestic workers.

Here's all you need to know about how to hire domestic help in the UAE:

Tadbeer centres provide customers with four packages to choose from to recruit domestic helpers. These include:

>> Direct sponsorship: In this package, Tadbeer centres recruit domestic helpers from outside the UAE and guarantee their performance and loyalty for 180 days, while their visa will be under direct sponsorship of the employing family.

>> Direct sponsorship after 6 months: This package allows families to hire a worker on a temporary basis for six months after which, the helper’s visa can be transferred under the family's sponsorship on the agreement of both parties.

>> Tadbeer sponsorship: The third package provides the option of hiring workers under the sponsorship of the Tadbeer centre.

>> Time-based packages: This package provides on-demand services that allow families to hire a helper under the sponsorship of Tadbeer centres to provide flexible services according to the requirements of the customers.

Domestic help rights by law

As per the domestic labour law, domestic workers are entitled to the following:

>> Payment of wages, as set out in the standard contract. These must be paid within 10 days from the day they are due.

>> One day of paid rest per week

>> 12 hours of rest per day, including 8 hours consecutive rest

>> 30 days paid vacation per year

>> Medical insurance (to be provided by the employer)

>> 30 days medical leave per year

>> Round trip ticket home every 2 years

>> Decent accommodation

>> Decent meals at the employer’s expense